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Health & Fitness

Sandburg Forensics Team 27th in nation

Most days after school, the second floor of the “south building” is buzzing with excitement and anticipation as members of the Carl Sandburg Forensic Team are preparing for competition. The word “forensic” means “of public debate or argument.”

Sandburg’s Forensic Team is made up of members of the speech and debate teams, and is over 100 members strong. Recently, these teams were recognized as members of the National Forensic League’s Societe ‘de 400 for the year 2013. This elite distinction is given to the top 0.5% of programs in the nation.

Carl Sandburg High School is ranked 27 out of more than 3,000 schools nationwide.

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“These students and coaches have demonstrated outstanding participation and achievement in speech and debate activities,” stated Executive Director J. Scott Wunn. “We are pleased to honor them for their hard work and dedication, and wish them continued success in the coming season.”

The National Forensic League is an educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in public speaking. Its vision is to empower every child in the United States “to become an effective communicator, ethical individual, critical thinker, and leader in a democratic society.”

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Coming off a season ending with State Champions in Radio Speaking and Humorous Duet Acting, and Sixth in State as a team, Sandburg Speech Team is out to show, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet!”

The Speech teams season begins in the end of October and runs through the IHSA State Series in February. The Sandburg Speech family provides a supportive environment to achieve both personal growth and growth as a communicator.

After receiving her scholarship to the UCLA Theater Department, Liz Salim, Sandburg Speech alumnus and current coach, said she would never have done it without Sandburg Speech. “Without Speech I would not have had the confidence, nor the skills to audition so well.”

Head Coach Dan Sackett and Assistant Coaches Michelle Etchason, Geoff Epperson, Chrissi Petropulos, Tom Lucas and Liz Salim are proud of the honor bestowed on the team and are eager to take the team to new heights.

The four-time state champion Eagle Debate Team starts practicing the week after school starts, and competitions begin in September. They will have participated in nine tournaments by the time the semester is over, with another seven tournaments next semester. Sandburg participates primarily in two types of debate: Public Forum and Lincoln- Douglas, and the topics that they debate change monthly.

“Once debate gets in your blood, it starts to influence every aspect of your life. The life skills are amazing, ” states senior Captain, Justin McCurdy. The team is coached by Scott McGraw and Head Coach, Lainee McGraw, English teacher at Sandburg.

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