DANVILLE HIGH FORENSICS TEAM AUDITIONS 2010

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1 WHY AUDITION? A few years back, we asked some of our alumni what they gained from participation in the team. Here are some of their replies: I was twenty-two years old. At the time I was working for a non-profit policy and advocacy group in Washington, D.C., and we had just released a report I had written on the safety of children's products. Good Morning America wanted to do a segment on the report... I found myself discussing toys that could kill your children on ABC with Diane Sawyer. I can say with absolute certainty that it was an experience I would not have had if not for the three years I spent honing my speaking and presentation skills on Danville High School's forensics team. Jennifer Thompson, class of 1998 Forensics at Danville High School completely changed my life. Ironically, I joined the team as a confident and self-assured sophomore looking for a winter activity, but forensics was the best decision I made in four years of high school. I made friends that I will never lose contact with, and I honed a skill that I was unaware I possessed: public speaking. I don t think that I would have been nearly as prepared for law school and working in the legal profession if I had not competed in forensics. Zach Shewmaker, class of 1999 Not only did my confidence in my oratory skills increase, but so did my faith in my own opinions and abilities. And while I learned to present papers and projects, and that was ultimately beneficial, I also learned how to present myself. How would I have ever known that I could make the world love me when I had been so afraid to open my mouth? Erin Shiba, class of 1998 graduate, Oberlin College Owner, Matrix Games Oberlin I have learned so much about life through Forensics. I learned that it is ok to lose. I realized that you have to want to succeed to truly succeed. Most of all, I learned that we all have talents that need to be unearthed and polished, and that it is these talents that bring us the greatest joy. Laura Weddle Guerrant, class of 1997 We hope you ll audition. Please take a few minutes to go through this packet, talk it over with your parents, SIGN UP FOR A TIME ON MR. MEADOWS DOOR, and get ready for auditions. For additional information about the team, check out our website:. And one more thing -- break a leg! Steve Meadows, Head Coach, Danville Forensics

2 WE COMPETE SERIOUSLY AND WELL. Since we began in 1994, our honor list includes these achievements: In 2003, the team was recognized at the Catholic Forensic League s Grand National Speech Tournament as one of the top 5 teams in the country for its performance at Nationals (by being awarded the Founders Award of Excellence in Speech). In 2007, the team was recognized as one of the top 14 teams in the country for its showing at the National Forensic League Grand National Tournament (by being awarded the Schwan s School of Excellence Award in Speech). In 2006 and 2007 and 2008 and 2009, Danville won the state title in Speech (out of all Kentucky High Schools). DHS has placed in the top 5 every year since 1998 including five runner-up placings. The team has placed in the top 3 at the KESDA Forum since 1997 usually 2 nd place. But in 2008, Danville High made history as the first high school not named Rowan County to win the KESDA Forum. Danville won KESDA, KHSSL, CFL, and NFL that year, the only four-tourney sweep ever in Kentucky. Danville is the only Kentucky team to win all four events ever. At the Kentucky High School Speech League Regional Tournament, the team has won the Bluegrass Region ten of the last thirteen years. The team has won the Kentucky Catholic Forensic League state title for the last fourteen years and the Kentucky National Forensic League title six of the last twelve years. In 2000 and 2003, the team included National Champions: Geoffrey Barton in Original Oratory 2000, and Mauricus Lofton in Declamation In 2003, Logan Scisco advanced to the finals at both National tournaments, placing 3 rd in NFL US Extemp and 4 th in CFL Extemp, winning the final round at NFL. The team has also advanced nine other entries to main event National finals: Jennifer Thompson, 5 th in Extemp (CFL 1998); Mason Scisco, 6 th in Declamation and 3 rd in Dramatic Performance (CFL 2003 and 2006); Ross Johnson/Katherine Nelson, 5 th in Duo Interpretation (CFL 2006); Hunter Kendrick, 3 rd in Extemp (CFL 2007) and 4 th in International Extemp (NFL 2008); John Patrick Allen, 6 th in Oratory (NFL 2007); James Mohan, 2 nd in Extemp (CFL 2010) and 2 nd in International Extemp (NFL 2010).

3 Forensi-what? People always seem to be a little confused when faced with the issue of Forensics. Since most people tend to think that we deal with corpses, usually it takes a moment to explain the overall concept of Speech competition. So, for any of you who are still a little lost as to what we do, here's some general info about forensics itself and the DHS Team: Team History The team was founded in 1994 by Mr. Meadows and 14 students after existing twice before in the mid-1980 s and in the late 1940 s/early 1950 s. It has since established a charter membership in the National Forensic League and annually hosts tournaments for middle and high schools as well as competes in state and national tournaments What is forensics? Forensics is a collection of speaking, acting, oral interpretation, and radio broadcasting events performed in competitive settings with the goals of improving the communications skills and self-esteems of the students involved. The term forensics itself comes from the Latin root words forensis and forum, which relate to public debate and places of discussion. The Kentucky forensics circuit is strong. Teams compete from October through March with national competitions in May and June. Over one hundred Kentucky high schools compete in forensics invitational tournaments and belong to one or more of the four Kentucky forensics leagues: Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association (KESDA) Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL) Catholic Forensic League (Louisville Diocese) (CFL) National Forensic League (Kentucky Chapter) (NFL) Danville High School belongs to all four organizations and competes in state tournaments offered in March by KESDA, KHSSL, CFL, and NFL (though KESDA is in February this year!). In addition, NFL is an honor society; you must achieve a high level of sustained performance to be inducted. NFL allows students to move up through its degree programs and into various levels of achievement; these levels are recognized by various seals, and these seals are attached to graduating members' diplomas.

4 How can forensics benefit me? Forensics will increase your self-confidence, push you to work hard with oral communications skills, and give you many fond memories. "This will become your favorite extracurricular," say past members of the team, and it likely will. The team members generally bond quickly, and tournaments are fun. Danville High is known as a friendly but formidable forensics team, and we make friends around the state and across the country as we travel to tournaments. Colleges love recruiting forensics students because they know they are disciplined and selfmotivated. National Forensic League members are the most recruited members of any high school honor society except National Honor Society. Many colleges also have forensics teams, and talented students can win scholarships to college teams just like athletes do. WHAT FORENSICS IS NOT... Forensics is often paired with debate across the country, but in Kentucky, the two are separate entities. Danville High does not participate in debate contests except at NFL Districts and in Student Congress, though we have begun to enjoy Public Forum Debate. We also DON T see dead people. We do, occasionally, talk to walls, but unless they talk back, it s usually okay. The voices, the voices... we try to ignore them. Except for Yoda s voice. If we hear his it s okay. What is the time commitment? Forensics is a major after-school commitment, like football or marching band. Practice begins in October and continues through the March state tournament and district qualifiers. A few students who qualify to the national tournaments will practice through May and June. Forensics team members practice one half-hour session per week with a coach, either the head coach or one of his assistants (other teachers and college students with forensics experience). In addition, forensics team members practice on their own -- quite a bit. Formal practice sessions/time commitments are therefore relatively limited; generally, you are only obligated to be at practice at a specific time one half-hour per week. The only activities nearly impossible to also do are wrestling and basketball due to parallel seasons and matches and practices. Arrangements are made with students who participate in fall activities (soccer, football, cross country, marching band, etc.) to set up practice times they can attend until their fall activities conclude. Academic team and swimming can be tricky but are possible; no other activities should be a problem. The main time commitment consists of the tournaments. Tournaments generally begin at 6 AM (that's usually when the bus leaves) and conclude upon our arrival home in the evening.

5 PAY ATTENTION TO THESE RULES YOU MUST. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS Any failing grade (an E) on a report card drops you from the team. The coach reserves the right to drop students failing a course in the middle of a grading period until grade cards come out or the student s grade improves. School comes first. This requirement has cost us some fine performers, but so be it. If you are in grade trouble now, you may audition for the team with the understanding that you are getting your act together now. Forensics has the highest average GPA of nearly all the activities at DHS because forensics team members take school seriously while still having fun. ATTENDANCE POLICY &BEHAVIOR POLICY On the schedule, you can see a code for which events are optional and which events are mandatory. You may miss up to two of these mandatory events with a pre-approved excuse with Mr. M (for other school activities, family trips, ACT, etc.). Advance notice of at least two weeks should be given to Mr. M for any absence other than illness. If you have activities or family trips you know will be conflicts, you should tell Mr. M as soon as you know about them (and make sure he writes it down on the conflict calendar). If you qualify for KHSSL State or CFL or NFL Nationals, you may not skip them or our team can be sanctioned. Missing tournaments due to oversleeping or just missing the bus can be grounds for dismissal from the team. Rule of thumb: be early for the bus and for rounds. All school rules (including no smoking and no hats indoors) are to be followed at all times on all trips. Violations of these rules are the same as violating them at school (including 3 days suspension for smoking) and can be grounds for dismissal from the team, as can be skipping practice. DHS Forensics has the reputation of being one of the classiest teams in the state. That reputation will be upheld at the personal expense of misbehaving students, no matter how talented they may be. Part of the educational aspect of the team is presenting yourself well and learning how to adapt to guidelines and rules. They re for your and the team s benefit.

6 PRACTICES are tentatively scheduled to be held from 4:00 till 6:30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students will have one half-hour per week assigned to them (for example, 4:00 to 4:30 on Thursdays) and will be responsible for being at practice every week or for switching out with someone else on days they cannot attend. Students must rehearse on their own between practice days. Extemporaneous speakers must clip one day and practice another day or clip for 1.5 hours on their scheduled practice day if schedules allow. Practices are to be coaching sessions of what has been worked on during the week before, not a display that no work has been done since last time. DUES Students will pay $250 toward team costs for the regular season. Fees are generally collected November 1 st and February 1 st ($125 each time) unless other arrangements need to be made. Students advancing to Nationals will also pay part of those costs: probably $400. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunches at school pay none of these fees, though a $50 donation is suggested if feasible if not, no problem. There are also a few optional tournaments not covered by the regular dues. You may pay fees in segments, in one lump payment, or month-tomonth your choice. You are also HIGHLY encouraged to sell poinsettias, and you will be expected to help out before and during our high school and middle school tournaments plus help out in the sucker sales. If the dues are a concern, please speak with Mr. Meadows privately AND SOMETHING WILL BE WORKED OUT. We can make it happen do NOT let $$ keep you from auditioning OFFICERS CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION OR HELP Captains: Ali Gautier and Nate Johnson Historians: Maddie Mullins and Isabelle Ballard Gods of Morale: Dylan Crow and Kaitlin Snapp File King: Jono Beto 2010 COACHING STAFF Head Coach Head Assistant Coaches Assistant Coaches Associate Coaches Steve Meadows Christel Belcher, Beth Marlowe Matt Gordon, Nick Gowen, Hunter Kendrick, McKay Nelson, Jared Rehberg Terri Branson, Logan Scisco MORE INFORMATION: Kentucky Educational Speech and Drama Association (KESDA) Kentucky High School Speech League (KHSSL) Catholic Forensic League (CFL) National Forensic League (NFL)

7 TRYOUT INFORMATION FOR DANVILLE FORENSICS 2010 So you want to audition for the Forensics Team. Great! But before you start making that trip to the mall to buy that new spiffy wardrobe for competition, here are a few things you should know about what will be required at the audition: The audition consists of four parts: 1 -- A prepared speech of no more than 1 minute (you will be stopped at 1 minute). You should write a short speech on any topic you choose --creativity is welcomed. Your speech should have a logical beginning, middle, and end. You may use notecards An impromptu speech. You will be given a topic, one minute to think, and then asked to speak on the topic making some sort of sense. Again, try to have a beginning, a middle, and an end to what you are saying A radio commercial. You will be given a radio commercial and one minute to read it to yourself. You will then be asked to read it to us, selling us the product A prepared monologue. You are to memorize a monologue of short duration and perform it for us, presenting your character. You may use one of the four monologues included in this packet or one of your own choice. Feel free to adapt any of these monologues, changing genders or any other words you need to suit yourself. We will be evaluating your preparedness and your presentation of a character, not exact memorization, so let that be the focus of your preparations Don't be frightened. It may seem like a lot, but you don't have to be perfect. We want to see how you do in the various events of competition. This audition will help us to decide the best event for you and help us to understand a little bit more about you who you are. Feel free to ask past members of the team, your parents, and your dogs to listen to you as you practice for the audition and to give you advice or just a friendly wag. AUDITIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS OF THE DHS FORENSICS TEAM SEPTEMBER SIGN UP FOR A 15-MINUTE SLOT ON MR. MEADOWS DOOR. Time slots will be from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM on September 21 and 23; 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on September 22.

8 TRYOUT FORM Please clearly print answers to all sections of this form. NAME Circle one: 9 th grade 10 th grade 11 th grade 12 th grade What prior experience do you have in acting or performing? Include prior shows, classes, summer programs, teams, and what grade you were in when you participated in them. If you don t have any, that s OK too. Be sure to include Speech and Drama classes taken at DHS. What events look like ones you re most interested in (see the list on another page in this packet)? Why? Can you do funny voices or accents of any kind? If so, which ones? Why do you want to be a part of Danville Forensics? Sell yourself to us why should you make the team? Please fill out this form BEFORE you come to your audition. Bring it with you to auditions!

9 FORENSICS EVENTS OFFERED ON THE KENTUCKY CIRCUIT Prepared Speaking Events Declamation Persuasive Speaking A memorized speech presented at some time in history by someone other than the student. A memorized speech written by the student to persuade the audience to take a stand on a controversial issue or your take on an abstract idea (e.g. self-esteem, dreams) Informative Speaking A memorized speech written by the student to inform the audience or explore an idea. ***Note***At most tournaments, Informative and Persuasive are combined into Oratory. Scripted Interpretation Events Prose Poetry Oral reading/acting of prose literature (novels or stories). Oral reading/acting of poetry (free verse or rhythmic) usually narrative. Group Interpretation (KESDA only) A scripted Readers Theatre event for 3-5 students. Limited Preparation Events Extemporaneous Speaking Impromptu Speaking Improvisational Duo Radio Broadcasting A speech written in a half hour about a current event. A speech presented on-the-spot with little preparation. An acting scene presented by two students after little preparation from a given topic. The student reads radio news/commercials with little preparation in the style of a radio DJ. We also compete in Student Congress and Public Forum Debate when they are offered. Memorized Interpretation Events Storytelling Dramatic Interpretation (DI) Humorous Interpretation (HI) Duo Interpretation The student enacts a story playing all characters. It s often a tall tale or story for children. A student enacts a serious scene or monologue playing all the characters. A student enacts a humorous scene or monologue playing all the parts. Two students present a scene as two or more characters.

10 Danville Forensics Schedule 9.15, 9.16 Returning team members script search days 01.22*& Anchor (hosted by grades 10-12) 9.21, 9.22, 9.23 Team Tryouts 4-5:30 PM T/Th, 4-6 W 1.27 to 1.31&+ Barkley Forum (Emory University) (only a few students) 9.28, 9.30 New members Script Hunting / 4-6: *& Trinity/North Oldham Swing (@ Trinity Practice begins 11.02# Team Workshop 1 PM to 4 DHS 11.06* LaRue Co./Calloway Co. Swing (@ LaRue Co HS) 11.13* WKU Alumni Swing (@ WKU/Bowling Green) 11.20* Danville/Boyle Firsts and Foremost Swing (@BCHS) to 12.06$ George Mason University Patriot Games ($600 fee) Poinsettias arrive! Hilltopper 12.11* Hilltopper 01.08*+ Henry Clay Speak of the Devil (Lexington) 01.15* Thelma Beeler (Lafayette HS Lexington) 01.22*& Rocket Invitational (@ Louisville Assumption) (9 th graders only) /Louisville -- rest of team) Senior Spotlight, 7 PM 02.12% KHSSL Bluegrass Regionals Lafayette HS/Lexington #+ Lexington Holiday Inn North $ CFL LaRue Co. HS KHSSL State Debate WKU % KHSSL State Speech WKU $ NFL Centre Spring Spotlight, 7 PM Nationals Spotlight, 7 PM $ CFL Nationals, Washington DC $ NFL Nationals, Dallas * Required event. Students may miss up to two * events with permission from Mr. M. $ Optional event. Students may attend or not attend based on their interests and willingness to pay any extra fees. # Team Workshop and KESDA are mandatory events. Students must attend unless extraordinary circumstances exist. See Mr. M with questions. % KHSSL only allows a school to send its best three in each category to Regionals. You must qualify to State from Regionals or be prequalified with a legit excuse to miss Regionals. If you are one of our three best in that event, you must attend Regionals or be prequalified with a legit reason to miss. & Be sure to note other events happening on the same date). + In addition to Speech Events, Debate events (Congress and/or Public Forum) are offered.

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