HHS Forensics: Speaking up a Storm
Jasleen Kaur
When I think of Forensics I think of a 6:00 A.M. alarm met with a dark sky and an hour-long bus ride to a random high school on a Saturday; I think of a pre-ironed dress with a black blazer covering the top, and the clacking of heels against the tile floor; I think of sitting in a classroom with six other high schoolers, each with their own white binder, stepping up to the front and telling a story, their story; I think of vocal variation, posture, and hand gestures; I think of the adrenaline before a single word exits my mouth; I think of talking to walls. Yes, talking to walls.
I know when people first hear that I do Forensics, they think of a scientist in a lab, analyzing criminal evidence, so what you might be asking is, “What is Forensics?” Forensics is best described as competitive public speaking. You can choose from a variety of categories encompassing all kinds of speaking from Impromptu (on-the-spot speaking), to Prose (performing an excerpt from a novel or other piece of published work), to Oratory (informative speaking), and even Solo Humorous (performing a humorous piece). All category descriptions, rules, and regulations can be found on the WFCA website.
The Hamilton Forensics team is gaining traction in the speaking field again after a time of dormancy. We had one of our best years during the 2022 season. We started off with a bang with nine of our 11 participants placing (1st through 3rd-place) at our very first meet! At the biggest meet of the season (besides State), Port Washington, our team as a whole managed to achieve a monumental 3rd-place finish in medium teams! Our team members have secured wins at every meet we went to this past season ending with three of our members securing semi-finalist status within their respective categories at the uber-competitive State tournament.
When it comes to how a tournament works, it may seem intimidating at first, but it truly is more settling once you understand it. There are two or three rounds of speaking which everyone participates in. Within your category, you are assigned to a room each round with five or six other students from other schools and one judge of a different school. A big misconception about forensics is that you will be performing in front of an ocean of people, but the truth is that in each round you will only be performing for about seven people. After those preliminary rounds are complete, power rounds begin. Based on how the judges in your rooms ranked you, you could be chosen for the power round. The power round is very competitive with only about the top 5% of your category being chosen to compete. If you achieve power round status, you are in the running for a top rank within your category.
As proven in our excellent performances, Hamilton Forensics will prepare you very well for these meets. We meet after school every Tuesday and Thursday in room E178 the week after Thanksgiving break. You are required to come to one practice per week until the end of the season (mid-April). We start attending meets using the buses in January until April on Saturdays (about six of them). An exciting event for us this season is that Hamilton will be hosting the first meet of the season in January!
Our team has grown together and has become a family. For me, Forensics became a safe space and I know it plays a key role in many of my team members’ lives. Within my long Forensics journey, starting as a sixth grader and ending as a senior captain, Forensics has led to my development in the areas of leadership, advocacy, and socialization. Senior HHS Forensics member, Bella Orozco, states that she loves Forensics “because it gives [her] an opportunity to use [her] voice and socialize with not only [her] friends but people from neighboring schools.” Forensics isn’t just about the competition or advancing your public speaking skills, but also about expanding your horizons and branching out to students from other schools in order to foster connections based in growth and comradery.
“Even though Forensics is not necessarily a ‘team sport’ we have built such a beautiful relationship with our team and with the whole forensics community. Everyone is so supportive even while we are competing. The friendships I have made are so special and I am so grateful for them.”
-Peyton Impola, Senior Captain
Please feel free to contact Ms. Marklund, our Forensics Coach, or our Senior Captains, Jasleen Kaur and Peryton Impola, with any questions or information you would like to share. If you are interested, please attend our informational session with your parents/guardians in the Hamilton Fine Arts Center on October 20th from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Make your voice heard!
Remind Code: text @4n6-23 to 81010
Google Classroom code: nylj7yw
Google Classroom link: https://classroom.google.com/c/NDg1MjIyMjQwNTc1?cjc=nylj7yw
Instagram: hhs4n6
Ms. Marklund: markda@hamilton.k12.wi.us
Jasleen: kaurjas@hamiltonstudents.org
Peyton: impopey@hamiltonstudents.org
