R-MA Take WACFL Speech Sweepstakes at Metros

Posted by Brennan Morris

FGLDS President

WACFL Metros is always nice in the sense that it re-invigorates the team, during the long lull between the state tournament and the big national tournaments. So, on Saturday, March 15, the RMA Speech and debate team was back at it again. Only this time the stakes were higher than normal, because this tournament was to be the deciding battle ground of the local Catholic Forensics League, this was the culmination of the season thus far, and these few rounds determined who would go on to nationals. The result: nine students qualified for CFL Nationals and R-MA took sweepstakes for the seventh-straight year.

For some time the students had been prepping their pieces, and studying world events, everything they could do to give them the slot they wanted. Freshman John Holsinger stated, “I really worked hard at Extemp, lots of reading, and practicing, I really cared about that event. Extemp taught me the value of focus and organization.” It was a busy but exciting time for everyone.

So, when our alarms went off, so early in the morning, we were ready. We took our showers and put on our suites (Usually in that order… except for John… probably), brushed our teeth, all the things that make tournament preparation eventful. Then we headed to the bus, and when Mr. Gregg arrived, we began loading extemp files, flow pads, pens, and food needs. We were fully prepared.

As the sun began to rise, along with our fruitful expectations, we headed to Sherando High School, only a few miles away. Once we were there Xing headed inside and found out where extemp prep was, and then we all traversed the halls to get there, setting up the files with ease. Other students, led by the always youthful and vigorous Evan Pionkowski, carried the food and competition supplies to the cafeteria which was serving as a General Assembly.

In no time at all the competition began, and throughout those four critical rounds, the team kept tabs on each other to make sure that everything was going swimmingly. Tommy Forte stated, “It’s always important to make sure that you watch out for your teammates, its important to be a team player.”

In the end, nine students qualified to nationals, and several went on to finals:
Oratory Champion: Brennan Morris
Declamation Champion: Max Ramundo
Extemp Finalists: Brennan Morris, Will Dungan
Declamation Finalists: Apryl Sands

Oral Interp Finalists: Evan Pinokowski
Qualifiers: Evan Pionkowski, Valerie Pratt, John Holsinger (Ext)

Some students went home with their relatives, and the rest headed to diner, where they reviewed ballots and began thinking about the next step: nationals.

Pictures available at: http://www.pbase.com/fglds

R-MA Qualifies 4 to CFL Nationals in PF

By Marianne Nell

and Kaleb Gerber

R-MA took the largest numbers in its history to the WACFL Public Forum Metrofinal tournament at Massaponax High school on Friday, February 29th through Sunday, March 1st. Students only gain entrance to this National Qualifier through placing at a preliminary WACFL tournament in their division. At the end of the tournament, R-MA took two of the top-six places and qualified twice as many teams as last year to CFL Grand Nationals. This year, CFL Grand Nationals will be in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The following members of the R-MA Speech and Debate team attended this tournament: T. Graham Morrow, Valerie Pratt, Marianne Nell, Kaleb Gerber, Will Dungan, and Tommy Forte. Other Junior Varsity and Varsity Public Forum teams also attended this tournament including Whitman, Chantilly, Massaponax, Yorktown, and Broad Run; however, they were categorized into two divisions, Washington and Arlington. The Junior Varsity Public Forum teams were competing simply for recognition and awards, unlike the Varsity Public Forum teams which were competing for one of the six slots to Nationals in Wisconsin.

“Although there were no Whitman teams in Arlington division, the competition was still far steeper than I had imagined” mentioned Tommy Forte after just finishing up a Public Forum round. This WACFL was the first tournament using the March Public Forum resolution, “that the current system of presidential primaries is contrary to democratic values.” The freshness of the resolution made it a difficult topic to debate without prior practice; however, R-MA came prepared and managed to win two of the six National Qualifying slots.

As T. Graham Morrow pointed out, “It was all about effort; I was constantly consulting with my partner and exchanging thoughts with my teammates which I know would eventually help me to succeed.” In conclusion, the tournament was a big success for R-MA. Old friends were greeted, stimulating ideas were exchanged, and overall everyone had a good time. "

Qualifying to CFL Nationals in Public Forum were:

The team of Pratt and Morrow

The team of Forte and Dungan

Pictures available at: http://www.pbase.com/fglds

Georgetown Semifinalists

On February 29, 2007 most of the Randolph-Macon Academy Pubic Forum teams left for metros; however, there were still a couple of teams that were left at school. The following morning, on March 1, the teams of Brennan Morris and Martha Galewski, Gigi Baughman and Evan Pionkowski, and John Holsinger and Apryl Sands, left the Georgetown Pubic Forum tournament. Since Mr. Gregg had to be with the qualifying public forum teams, the Georgetown crew left with Mr. Rider on an R-MA van. The whole way to the tournament the team was dead asleep. Arriving just before rounds, the team registered and met together to discuss some key tactics. “I am confident in our teams ability,” stated Brennan.

At the tournaments there were teams from as far as Casper, Wyoming. After the groups first round, they met together and discussed some strategies and cases that other teams were using. Ms. Fitzgerald kindly went out and bought the team Smart Water in order to keep them hydrated throughout the day. After grabbing some pop tarts, energy drinks, and water, everyone was ready for their second round. “ We have some good competition, but we are ready!” exclaimed freshman John Holsinger.

One second round was over, it was time for a lunch break. Everyone was given three hours to roam the campus and to get lunch. Without known that a Chipotle lunch was being provided by the generous Georgetown tournament staff, Martha and Brennan decided to explore the town of Georgetown and grab some Mexican food at a local restaurant. Martha, determined to find a dress for military ball, dragged Brennan with her to find a dress. “ Brennan was extremely patient and helpful, he is an amazing friend,” stated senior Martha Galewski.

Meanwhile, back on campus, the rest of the team walked around a bit and took some time to relax. “ The campus is absolutely gorgeous. All I can say is Wow!” commented freshman Apryl Sands, “ It’s just feels so peaceful and tranquil here.” At this point in time, all the students at Georgetown were on spring break, which left the whole campus to the debate teams. Nevertheless, the team didn’t neglect to take advantage of all of their opportunities, such as the free computers and internet. Senior Gigi Baughman was the first to check her email, look up statistics for her case, and of course check her facebook. “ It’s really nice because at tournaments such as these, you meet new people from all around the country and become friends with them. The best part about it is that it’s so easy to stay in contact with them through facebook, so checking it is half the fun.”

The team finished their last two rounds by four o’clock. Unsuccessful in her previous attempt to find a dress, Martha signed out with Max and went shopping yet again. Meanwhile, Ms. Fitzgerald drove the rest of the team in her car to a restaurant in Washington D.C. to grab some dinner. “The food was rich in flavor, and after a day of competing there is nothing better than a good meal,” commented John Holsinger.

After dinner the team retreated back to the Holiday Inn hotel, where they hung out with each other and watched TV. Later that night the whole team, including Mr. Gregg, Tommy Forte , Will Dungan, and Graham Morrow met up in the luxurious high rise restaurant at the top of the hotel. “ You can see all of D.C. from here,” noted Graham.

After some hearty food the team prepared for the next day to come and headed to bed. In the morning, everyone was up and ready on time. Once arriving to campus they enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast, yet again provided by the Georgetown tournament staff. The team had two more rounds to conquer. The team excelled in their diligence, and worked together very well. Both the teams of Galewski/ Morris and Pionkowski/ McCotter cleared to semifinals.

After some lunch, Mr. Gregg allowed the team to go shopping in Georgetown. Everyone found something that they really enjoyed. “I found the coolest blue shoes ever and bought them,” said Will Dungan enthusiastically.

On the way back the team reminisced over the past two days and discussed future tournaments. Georgetown was a fantastic tournament and a great bonding experience.