Senior Forensics Stand Out

by Sara Vesel

Forensics, or the art or study of augmentation and debate, is a club offered at Newman Catholic High School with Mr. Fry, the freshman and sophomore English teacher and assistant soccer coach, as the advisor.  It is a fun, positive, independent club where each member or team of people picks a topic from poetry reading to radio speaking and performs at sub district, district, and potentially, state level competitions. 

This year, the only forensics member to make it to state was Erin Gassner, a senior.  She performed in the comedic solo acting category with a piece from “A…My Name is Still Alice” by Kate Shein.  The selection is about a girl having a “forensic nightmare”.  She freaks out at a forensics meet and forgets her lines.  “I chose this piece because it is really funny, and I have always done some sort of solo acting piece whether it was comedic or serious,” said Erin Gassner. 

As a participant in numerous plays and shows through DDH Dance Academy and Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre, or CWCT, she is a natural when it comes to performing in front of audiences.  She also participated in forensics both sophomore and junior year.  In her sophomore year she received a silver medal at state and junior year she earned a bronze.  This year, when she took her piece to the state competition, she received a gold, the highest rating.

"To do well in forensics, you have to practice.  You also have to pick a piece you really like, and don't pick a piece just because you think it'll please the judges.  It's supposed to be fun, so you shouldn't be nervous," Erin Gassner advises, "and if you do get nervous, remember that everyone else is probably nervous too.  Just picture everyone in their underwear."

Forensics is a club that allows people to use and develop their speaking skills in a fun, competitive way.  "You should join forensics because it looks great on applications.  You also develop good public speaking, memorization, and creative skills.  My favorite part about forensics is being able to explore different aspects of performance and watching others perform,” Erin Gassner said.

Erin Gassner has described her time in forensics as "an awesome experience", and she should be very proud of herself for doing so well.  Forensics can help strengthen you academically and socially through the things you learn and people you meet.  Altogether, forensics is a great way to meet different people, develop educationally, and have a good time.  If you are interested in joining forensics, the 2012-2013 season will begin in November.  This is an open club for all students at Newman Catholic Schools, and you should consider joining.