Imagine standing in front of judges and an audience being asked something like “Do you think a tax cut, such as the new proposal of President Bush, will help your family and other families spend a lot more money?” and you have a minute to prepare your response.
Or what about getting into character and acting out a skit for an audience? Well, the Clarkston Middle School forensics team has no qualms about any of it.
In fact, the team cleaned house at the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association Middle Level Individual Events Tournament Saturday, Jan. 11 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor winning two trophies, three plaques and six blue ribbons.
“Our results were outstanding,” forensics director George Schreiber said, who shared coaching responsibilities with Howard Andress. “This is the first time CMS has fielded a forensics team (for several years) and our whole school shares pride in the results.”
A total of 643 contestants from 30 schools throughout Michigan participated in the tournament, and 18 students represented Clarkston.
“There’s experienced schools who don’t win anything,” Schreiber said.
“Then I’d say we did pretty good,” seventh grader Rachelle Fox chimed in.
Taking home prizes were eighth grader Alex Kosbab, who was awarded a trophy and blue ribbon for story telling; eighth grader Rebecca Shay, who won a trophy and blue ribbon for impromptu speaking; eighth grader Ellen Rimar, who won a plaque and blue ribbon for impromptu speaking; sixth grader Morgan Brisse, who won a plaque and blue ribbon for the oratory category; seventh grader Allison Richards, who won a plaque and blue ribbon for informative speaking; and eighth grader Andrew Schreiber, who won a blue ribbon for informative speaking.
But, coach Schreiber said, “Congratulations are in order for all 18 CMS students who competed.” They also include Chrisse Bingham, Heidi Bretz, Allie Browe, Kaley Clark, Lauren Day, Rachelle Fox, Chelsea Langen, Joe McAuliffe, Katie Page, Devon Rehm, Heather Stai and Kelsie Thams.
Each contestant competed in three separate rounds against students from other schools. Those with the highest cumulative score received trophies or plaques. Contestants who placed first in any round were awarded a blue ribbon, Schreiber explained.
“I like it when kids who work hard and work in a disciplined fashion win,” Schreiber said, who hopes to start a forensics team at the high school in the next couple years. “After the three rounds of competition, our students had an opportunity to see more of the U of M campus as well as downtown Ann Arbor.”
Sixth grader Allie Browe said, “I think we learned a lot. I learned how to be more dramatic from the other groups.”
“We learned techniques from the others,” eighth grader Rebecca Shay added.
“I found it’s not just helpful with drama, but it also has influenced my writing,” Fox, who in competition performed a spoof of a modern day Cinderella, said.
“It’s good for your confidence level,” eighth grader Heidi Bretz said. “It makes you feel good. Especially when you do well.”
Many of the students are also members of the drama club, and none, obviously, have any problems speaking in front of an audience.
“You just look over their (the audience) heads or picture them as chickens in their underwear,” Bretz said, adding, “Forensics rocks!”
Regarding the team’s future, Schreiber said he’d like to see more males on the team, assure the club is fun for participants and isn’t considered a nerd club by others, get additional parent volunteers, and find a way to offer forensics to student athletes amidst their after-school athletic practices.
Forensics club meetings will resume in February and the team will compete in a second state tournament on Saturday, April 12.
Anyone interested in joining the team or who would like more information can contact Howard Andress at the school at (248) 623-5600 or George Schreiber at work at (248) 625-5600 or home (248) 625-7943.