We have all been standing in front of an audience at some point in our lives, for a speech in class, or a presentation at work, and despite public speaking being something many of us dread It is an important skill to refine. Improving public speaking skills is what our Lodi Forensics team is all about this season.
Forensics is a competitive speech club run through many high schools, including ours. During the Forensics season, students in the club aim to improve speaking skills in front of audiences by competing in various categories such as poetry, demonstration speaking and impromptu speaking.
This season our Lodi Forensics team, led by Anne Lembkey, has taken home many victories across categories and the students foresee a great season ahead, especially Jadyn Hellenbrand who says, “I think we’re going to have a very good season overall.” She says her team members are doing very well and predicts a repeat of last year where every member on the team went to state. Finnigan Berg, a junior on the team is also hopeful as he ¨sees improvement¨ and is looking towards an even better season than last year.
It is clear that the team is working hard this year, Finn and Jayden both told me about how they are doing well in practice and are excited to make the most of their approaching meets.
Some of those upcoming events Jayden told me about are the upcoming home tournament in Lodi this Saturday. She also told me ¨I’m excited for the Sub-District, I think we will do very well as a team!¨ which will take place Sunday the 23rd.
Some of the noteworthy victories taken home by the team this year, according to Finn, is one from his friend, Ashe Crowell, who ¨placed second in the impromptu category at the DeForest meet.¨ Finally the biggest victory the team has taken home this year according to Jadyn is “[Winning] first place in Capitol Conference for large teams.¨
Overall, it seems the team is excited and determined to continue making progress and working towards their goals as the season comes to a climax.