Note: A previous version of this story stated that Georgie Farmer made the quarterfinals in program of oral interpretation. This is incorrect; Georgie Farmer made the semifinals in program of oral interpretation and made the quarterfinals in prose. This story has been edited accordingly.

 

 

The Danville High School forensics team has had growth and accomplishments this school year. Several students made the quarterfinals and semifinals in the Kentucky High School Speech League Senior State Speech Tournament in March, the team has grown in numbers, and coaches and parent volunteers have been recognized on the state level. 

Making the quarterfinals in the tournament means the student is in the top 24 in the state, and making the semifinals means the student is in the top 12. 

Junior Anna Watson made the semifinals in broadcast, and junior Georgie Farmer made the semifinals for program of oral interpretation and the quarterfinals for prose. Sophomore Abbie Pennington made the quarterfinals for extemporaneous speaking and impromptu, and sophomore Charlie Kinkade made the quarterfinals for extemporaneous speaking. 

The Kentucky National Speech and Debate Association recognized Assistant Coach Mary Carol Porter as assistant coach of the year on the state level. Suzanne Farmer, who is a DHS parent and also the Danville Schools chief academic officer, was recognized as forensics volunteer of the year. Last school year, Coach Karen Tompkins was recognized as new coach of the year.

 

Karen Tompkins said the whole team has made great strides in their confidence not only during forensics events, but also in the way they “carry” themselves. 

“When I look at your performance from the beginning of the year till now, you all have made so much growth,” she said to the students. 

She said that though trophies and recognitions are great, her “measure of success is that they feel more confident in saying the things that matter and the things that need to be said.” 

Freshman Kat Tompkins said involvement in forensics has made it easier to talk about topics some people might find uncomfortable, and this is something they have explored in their dramatic interpretation events during forensics competitions. 

Kinkade said forensics has “helped a lot with other extracurriculars” for him and the other students. For example, he said it helped his speech and debate skills during his involvement with the Kentucky United Nations Association and with presenting in front of judges for DECA. 

Abbie Pennington said students use their interests to guide what they present.  

“I’m interested in news and stuff, so I do extemporaneous speaking, but if you’re interested in acting, there are a lot of dramatic and humorous events you can do, and the coaches really guide you,” she said. 

Abbie Pennington said about the fact that the team often competes against much larger schools, “We try to just focus on what we do and not compare [ourselves] to other people.”

Georgie Farmer said the team has grown a lot this school year, and “For a small team, we do pretty good.”

Last school year there were eight students on the team. The two seniors on the team graduated, leaving six students left. This year, the team has doubled in size and now has 12 students. 

Freshman Oliver Meng, one of the students new to the team this year, joined the team to get better at improv and worried it wouldn’t go well, but did better at it than expected. 

“You don’t know if you don’t try,” Meng said.

Junior Lucy Evces is also new to the team this year.

“I joined because I just started hearing a lot more about it,” she said.

She added that her fellow students encouraged her to join the team. Students do much of the recruiting for the team themselves, Karen Tompkins said. 

Students who are interested in joining the forensics team can contact Karen Tompkins at karen.tompkins@danville.kyschools.us.