Forensic team receives four bids to national tournament

Those LCHS students receiving bids to participate in the National Forensic League National Tournament set for June 16-20 in Las Vegas are: (l-r) Amy Dandron, Nikolas Spens, Sarah Herring, T.J. Carani, and Abigail Minor.

All of the hard work, long hours, and lack of sleep have finally paid off!

With four national bids in their pockets, members of the LCHS Chapter of the National Forensic League (NFL) will head to Las Vegas this summer for the NFLNational Tournament.

The tournament will be held June 16-20 at several schools in the Las Vegas area.

The qualifying for nationals took place February 15 and 16 at the NFLGeorgia Southern Peach District Tournament held at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville.

Qualifying for the second year in a row was the policy debate team of Abigail Minor and Nikolas Spens, both seniors at LCHS. First-time qualifiers were: senior Amy Dandron, original oratory; Sarah Herring, also a senior, humorous interpretation; and junior T.J. Carani, U.S. extemporaneous speaking.

In the category of duo interpretation, the team of Amanda Dion and Sarah Herring was named the first alternate for nationals, with the team of Lauren Dill and Kyrstie Scales capturing second alternate honors.

Also during the tournament, Minor placed in the top two in original oratory. However, students are not allowed to enter nationals in two categories, which meant that her bid was designated to the first alternate. For the record, Minor has qualified for nationals for four consecutive years. As a result, she will be recognized and receive a $100 scholarship at the Las Vegas tournament.

"Receiving four bids to the national tournament was an amazing accomplishment for a school our size," stated Lee Robinson, NFLadvisor and speech and debate coach at LCHS. "The only school awarded more bids was Starr's Mill High School, which has a student body nearly four times the size of ours. That we have so many students do so well speaks volumes about their commitment to Forensic and their dedication to being their best."

In addition to the excitement about qualifying for nationals, the students are likewise looking forward to traveling to another part of the country.

"Of course, the flip side of that is we'll be working very hard to pay for the trip," noted Robinson. "It would be nice if the NFLincluded travel expenses with the bids, but unfortunately, it doesn't work that way."

In conclusion, Robinson thanked Dr. Becky Barden, LCHS principal; School Superintendent Randall Edmunds; the Lincoln County Board of Education; and the LCHS Debate Booster Club for their support throughout the season, leading up to and including the district tournament.

"It is only through extensive competition that our students can sharpen their skills, and we could not do this without the wholehearted support of these individuals and groups," the NFLadvisor said.

In further remarks, Robinson thanked Claude Robinson, Randy Smith, Ellen Butler, and Ernie Guthrie for their help in chaperoning, judging, and providing transportation during the season.