2009-2010 has been a great year for the Friendswood Forensics Team. They lost some good competitors to graduation last year, but gained many more this year to bring the total number to 26.  The team has been busy teaching new competitors while raising the level of competition and the results are something of which to be proud.

        Three students qualified for the NFL National Tournament to be held in Kansas City, Missouri this summer. Senior Lesleigh Balkum will advance in Humorous Interpretation, Junior Kristi Board advances in Dramatic, and Sophomore Novice Lindsay Bonnen proved she’s no longer a novice and advanced to nationals after 10 rounds of foreign extemporaneous speaking.
        In UIL CX Debate, sophomores Johnathan Moore and Shahin Firouzbahkt placed first at the district meet at Manvel High School, while Madeline Landon and Audrye Williams came in second.  All four students advanced to the Cross Examination State meet at the University of Texas at Austin campus. The teams went 2-2 overall, but are already planning for next year.
        El Paso was host to the Texas Forensic Association State Tournament this year. Lesleigh Balkum, Stephen Feith, and Cailey Fitzgerald along with Kristi Board qualified in Humorous Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, Original Oratory, Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking, Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, and Dramatic Interpretation. Cailey advanced to the semifinals in FX, while Stephen advanced to semis in the consolation event Impromptu Speaking. Kristi and Lesleigh were quarterfinalists in their events.
        At UIL District last week at Santa Fe High School, FHS advanced seven to UIL Regionals at Sam Houston State University in April.
        In Informative Speaking, Cailey Fitzgerald – first place, Johnathan Moore, second place, Elliott Landon, third.
        In Persuasive Speaking, Stephen Feith, first, Grace Brann, second place, and Amanda McKee, third.
        And Lincoln-Douglas Debate:
        Aryn Acosta placed third and Todd McCormack took fourth and is the alternate.
        It is “go time” for the Friendswood Forensics Team and they have no intentions of slowing down. There are still tournaments to attend, and Friendswood will settle for nothing but the best!
        Sponsor is Melissa Victorick.