Daelan West, junior, is a cheerleader for both basketball and football, but on her weekends attends forensics meets.

“People don’t know what forensics is, so they aren’t surprised that I do it, they’re just confused,” West said.

Forensics is competitive speech and drama. “It is a KSHSAA sponsored event with a state tournament just like the athletic events. It’s scored somewhat like track. Students compete individual or in two person activities and scores are added together for the team.”said Leslie Coats, forensics story.

West competes in prose and poetry and she said her goal is to place in a few tournaments.

“I have placed at every tournament I have attended,” West said.

Each school is allowed to take 16 entries in any combination to the state championship tournament or the students who qualify for the state festival.

“I hope to do well enough to get into finals at state, but we’ll see how that goes,” West said.

Students also compete in acting, such as duets and IDA (improvisational duet acting). Caleb Weaver, junior, enjoys acting.

“It’s a lot of fun and it helps with people skills,” Weaver said.

Caleb has placed in every tournament except one.

Several freshmen have stepped up the game for the forensics team by placing in several tournaments.

“Our team will be in good hands,” said Weaver.

The team seems to be doing better than last year but

Coats said, “the team is definitely better.”

“It’s hard to say how much until the season is over,” she added.

West said, “For students considering joining forensics: do it! It’s such a great experience.”

Recently the forensics team took sixth place at state forensics.