Central High School victorious as forensics Region D champions

February 20, 2020
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In the relatively brief history of Central High School in Wise the Forensics team has already established a strong tradition of winning. They have earned three VHSL Class 2 State Championships, including the last two years consecutively. But with a young team that includes several first time competitors this year, if they are to win a third straight title, it would have to start with a strong showing on Saturday in the Regional round of competition at Tazewell High School.

Veteran Coaches Debra Taylor and Jan Thompson have been working hard for weeks preparing these students for Saturday’s competition. The goal of Forensics is to train students in literary interpretation and public speaking skills. Selecting the right competitor for the right category is key. Coach Taylor likened coaching Forensics to coaching ten different physical sports at the same time, due to the wide range and varied rules of each category.

“We are so proud of all the hard work that our kids put in to being successful,” Coach Taylor said. Coach Thompson added, “The thing I like the most is the work ethic of the whole team. They were serious about this. They worked to help each other because they know that the better everyone else is, the better the team is.”

Through three long rounds of competition, a full complement of 21 students in all represented Central High School and at the end of the day, the Warriors yet again stood victorious as Region D Champions on Saturday.

Individual rankings were as follows:

• Dramatic Interpretation: 2nd place - Maria Boggs 4th place - Izah Qureshi

• Extemporaneous Speaking: 2nd place - Asher Kahn

• Humorous Duo: 2nd place - Elle Smith and Draak Sutphi• Humorous Interpretation: 3rd place - Reece Elkins

• Impromptu: 2nd place - Harper McCall, 3rd place - Zoey Barker

• Original Oratory: 1st place - Taylor Sanders

• Poetry: 2nd place - Emily Mullins

• Prose: 4th place - Alex Vincer

• Serious Duo: 1st Place - Reagan Dotson and Emma Stallard, 4th place - Ellianna Kudirka and Lauren White

• Storytelling: 2nd place - Nicole Aguirre

Other students from Central who had strong showings to represent their school were Colton Arney, Rhiannon Baker, Emily Hall, Kenzie Stidham and Haley Ricketts.

The top three finishers in each category advance to the Super Regions round to be held in a few weeks, where the team will have a chance to earn the opportunity to advance to the State Finals in Midlothian on March 28.

Provided by Brandon White