Forensics: It's All About the Drama...Almost

If you happen to be a fan of Law & Order or CSI, it is quite likely that your idea of forensics is slightly different than the class by the same name that is offered at SHS. And although forensics at Satanta High is not the same type of forensics that is so often showcased on the small screen, it can be just as interesting and even more captivating. In fact, the experience and confidence that most competitors glean from their involvement in such an activity simply cannot be denied.

In layman's terms, forensics is competitive speech and drama. Students participating in forensics sacrifice most of their Saturdays in the spring semester to attend area tournaments and compete in different categories. Students join forensics for many different reasons, including to express their individuality or to become more comfortable with public speaking, and those who find success at the local level are able to compete in the state tournament held in May.

There are currently nine categories from which a forensics student can select: two interpretative events, prose and poetry; three speaking events, informative speaking, original oration (persuasive speaking), and extemporaneous (improvised) speaking; and four acting events, humorous solo acting, dramatic solo acting, duet acting, and improvised duet acting. Each category has a set of guidelines including time limits and other rules that all contestants in that event must observe. For those interested in learning more, details regarding the specifics of each category will be on the site soon.

Though Southwest Kansas forensics coaches have been witness to the demise of many forensics programs over the last several years due to retiring coaches and waning student interest, the co-curricular activity is experiencing a sort of revival for the 2007 season with nine area invitational tournaments already scheduled and the promise of more to come. It is an exciting time to be involved with the program, and students and coaches alike are anticipating what the 2007 season may have in store for them.