Every year the Friendswood Forensics Team, commonly known as Debate, goes to a tournament hosted by Foster High School. And each year the team leaves with basically the same thing: a few trophies, a little more pride, and something to work on.
        But this year only a few team members went to Foster and they left with a little something more.

        Lesleigh Balkum, a senior at Friendswood High School, left the tournament with the highest honor.  She won the Personal Sweepstakes Award, which is awarded to the competitor that acquires the most points out of everyone in that tournament.
        At Foster there were an average of 500 competitors, and Balkum beat them all. The Personal Sweepstakes Award comes with a five foot tall trophy and a lifetime’s bragging rights. At five foot two, Balkum walked out of that tournament with both.
        “Though the trophy could be seen, what could be seen even more was Lesleigh’s humility. In all her glory, Lesleigh remembered Friendswood Forensics’ motto: Be the Best, but Be Humble. Lesleigh Balkum is truly the perfect symbol of the Friendswood Forensics (Debate) Team,” Sponsor Melissa Victorick said. “She will be dearly missed when she graduates. Lesleigh leaves some very large shoes to be filled.”  
        Working to fill those shoes is Junior Kristi Board, who was one of the few that also accompanied Balkum to Foster High School. Boarde received first place in Dramatic Interpretation, and received along with it her qualification for the Texas Forensics Association State Tournament. Both Board and Balkum also received second in Duo Interpretation, qualifying them as a team to go to TFA State.
        “All in all Foster was a very successful tournament and we all have high expectations for next year,” Victorick said.