Sonoma Valley High School hosted more than 1,000 students, coaches and adult volunteer judges from 28 Bay Area schools on Dec. 2 for an all-day forensics tournament.
Almost every room at the high school was used, as well as most of Adele Harrison Middle School.
The event is a chance for SVHS forensics team members to compete or work the event and it is a big fundraiser for the team.
“Along with community and parent donations, our fundraising pays all the registration, travel and supply expenses for the team/class,” said coach Janet Hansen.
Jonathan Shelton was the student manager of the tournament.
SVHS student wins included:
Sophomore Phillip Bodwell was a finalist in Impromptu Speaking, an event where students have two minutes to prepare an organized five minute speech on a topic they are given; senior Jensen Hedley was a finalist in Original Oratory (Persuasive Speaking), with a speech on the value of laughter and humor for health and happiness; senior Cian Martin came in first place in Expository (Informational) Speaking, with a speech on the topic of “Randomness”; and senior Aliya Blinman came in second place in the same event with a speech about the bra.
Hansen said that her team missed two competitions because of the fire, which put them behind for the first half of the season.
“But this is a really energetic and creative group of students,” she said. “I expect them to catch up and be in the running for our state qualifiers in the spring.”
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