By Rachael Cummings

For nearly a century, the National Forensic League has provided meaningful recognition and support for high school students who wish to excel in speech and debate. Forensics programs and resources are intended to motivate and inspire students to reach their full potential, and establish standards for the entire body of competitors of speech and debate across the nation.

OLSH’s Forensics program has done just that. Coaches and those involved with OLSH’s Forensics program consist of Ms. Long and Mrs. Cerchairo who set up tournaments for the students to attend. Tournaments are held on Saturdays and after-school throughout the year (October through March). Forensics tournaments consist of longs days and hard work, starting as early as 7:30 a.m. until as late as 5:30p.m., where competitors gather to receive awards to conclude the tournament. A lot of work goes into preparing for tournaments; OLSH students meet every Tuesday from 2:30-4:40 for practice to prepare of upcoming tournaments. Some categories that the students have a chance to participate in are the following: Prose, Poetry, Oratory, Duo, Congress, Impromptu, Humorous, Dramatic, Extemporaneous Speaking, PF Debate, and LD Debate.

The OLSH Forensics students have competed in as many as 10 different tournaments this year, traveling to different local schools around the area. They have competed in at high schools such as Quigley, North Catholic, Bethel Park, Upper Saint Claire, Pine Richland, West Allegheny, etc… Many of the students have placed throughout these tournaments. To get a look at what OLSH competitions are like at a Forensics tournament, we will take a look at the North Allegheny tournament a few weeks back. The tournament, which held 630 students from schools all around the Pittsburgh area, Erie, and West Virginia, “upped” the competition for OLSH students. Freshman, Jake Dickey broke to finals, ending up placing sixth out of 41 competitors in Poetry/Prose. Senior, Ellen DiMartini, also competed in Poetry/Prose finished in the top half of the pack. Sophomore Oscar Matous competed in Humorous Interpretation and just missed qualifying for the final round for that tournament weeks back.

More recently, Jacob Dickey, Oscar Matous, and Ellen DiMartini competed in the District Forensics Tournament the weekend of February 23^rd. Ellen DiMartini finished 5^th in Prose, Oscar Matous finished 5^th in Humorous Interpretation, and Jacob Dickey 4^th in Poetry and is now an alternate to the State Forensics tournament. A lot of hard work goes into forensics and the OLSH students definitely put forth the hard work to place well in these tournaments. Freshman Jacob Dickey adds, “It’s been a good year so far and we are always looking for more students to join us!” Great job to all the OLSH Forensics students and good luck in upcoming tournaments!