After State Meet, Forensic Team Focuses on Nationals

After a successful showing at the state forensic tournament in Ripon over the weekend, the Whitefish Bay High School forensic team now sets its sights on national tournaments.

Six students placed as state finalists and eight as semi-finalists in the Wisconsin Forensic Coaches' Association state tournament at Ripon College Saturday.

Whitefish Bay took eighth because it did not have a full team, but it did set several new team records. Out of its 19 entries, 12 were either semifinalists or finalists.

State Finalists

• Andrew Gegios, finalist in Congressional Debate
• Max Steele and Megan Huckenpahler, 5th Place in Duo Interpretation
• Wolf Hentzen, 5th Place in Impromptu Speaking
• Jacob Sevart, 5th Place in Group Discussion
• Katie Plaster, 3rd Place in Oratory

State Semi-Finalists

• Kendall Gehrke, in Impromptu Speaking
• Andrew Gegios, in Impromptu Speaking
• Andrew Phillips, in Impromptu Speaking
• Eddie Otto, in Impromptu Speaking
• Natalee Kashou, in Solo Acting Serious
• Nathan Lafrombois, in Extemporaneous Speaking
• Mitchell Yurkowitz and Cara Ahrenhoerster in Duo Interpretation

Nine national qualifiers

The team is now raising funds to travel to two national tournaments.

Eight students have qualified for the National Catholic Forensic League tournament in Baltimore May 25-28. This is the first year Whitefish Bay students have qualified for the event's debate category.

• Max Steele and Megan Huckenpahler, Duo Interpretation
• Mitchell Yurkowitz and Cara Ahrenhoerster, Duo Interpretation
• Katie Plaster, Oratory
• Andrew Gegios, Congressional Debate
• Nathan Lafrombois, Lincoln Douglas Debate
• Kyra Fox, Oratorical Declamation

Plaster will also compete in the oratory category at the National Forensic League tournament in Indianapolis from June 9-16. This is the second time Whitefish Bay students have qualified for the tournament, and its first in the oratory category.

To help with trip expenses, send a donation through the team's fundraising page. Donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

Forensic showcase

The team will also host a showcase at 6:30 p.m. May 17 in Room 47 at the . All members of the public to attend and watch the public speakers and actors perform.