Northern Valley Forensics Team Journeys to State Champs and State Festival
May 19, 2010
On Friday, April 30th, the Northern Valley Forensics team set out for Salina; however, we had to split into three different cargoes to get everyone to the right place. Michelle Tharman drove down separately due to work, five students and the Hays’s went via the track meet in Quinter, and the other five students, Heather Hansen, and I went direct.
After some mild wardrobe mishaps (:-)) Heather Hansen, Samuel Field, Alex Tharman, Kenzi Husted, and Christina Anderson left around 2:30 PM. The drive was filled with laughter and singing; I even hummed along at times. After checking into the hotel, we hit the mall to stretch our legs. Michelle met up with us at that time.
Our next stop was the Coyote Canyon for supper. Talk about a buffet ……. We left extremely satisfied and ready for some relaxation at the hotel. To our surprise, the electricity was out and we were unable to get in our rooms. The students entertained themselves with some of the purchases they had made earlier for roughly an hour before power was restored.
The track kids (Matt Dole, Ashley Constable, Kayla Lowry, Zach Vincent, and Gunnar, Gale, and Ranelle Hays arrived safely, yet tired, around 10:30 PM. The kids had time to tell about the meet and the others shared their experiences. Lights out was at midnight with the hopes of an excellent day ahead.
Saturday morning came way too early. After a quick breakfast and check out, the students attending Champs left at 6:40 and drove to Salina Central High School. The first round began at 8:00 AM. The Festival participants arrived later and stayed around to support and watch the State Champs contestants. The Festival students left at 11:30 AM and headed to Kansas Wesleyan University for their performances. Alex and Ashley performed a great Improvised Duet Act and received a II rating. Samuel interpreted a dramatic Poetry reading and received a II rating.
Back at the Champs competition, Matt was humorously reading a Prose selection, Kenzi was rapping along with a Poetry selection, Christina and Kayla acted out a hilarious Duet, Zach passionately entertained in Oration, and Gunnar tirelessly performed a heart – wrenching Poetry piece and addressed the Extemporaneous speaking arena in a stately manner.
After three grueling rounds, of the best of the best, the top twelve entries in each category was selected for the semi – finals. Another round of competition and the students were narrowed down to the top six finalists. At 6:00 PM, Saturday evening, Gunnar Hays was awarded the fourth place medal for his accomplishments in Extemporaneous.
ALL OF THE KIDS HAD A SUCCESSFUL DAY and were exhausted. What an OUTSTANDING YEAR WE HAD!!!!!!
I would like to personally thank Gale Hays and Heather Hansen for judging at the State competition for us. If we are unable to have judges attend, we are unable to attend. I would also like to thank Michelle Tharman for sponsoring the State Festival students. Last, but certainly not last, I would like to thank all of the parents and family friends that journeyed to Salina and many of the other tournaments to cheer on the kids this year. You would not believe the boost in morale it makes to those young men and women.
Well, slightly after 11:00 PM, all students were safely back at their homes with memories and pictures to carry them through to next season. Believe it or not ….. that is only seven months away. :-) If you happen to find something you think would make great material to be used in competition, please let me know. I am always open to new material. As always …… If you think your life has drama …… then you know what we are talking about.
