By Aysha Adrees, Editor-in-Chief

        It was a slightly chilly night. Excitement buzzed in the atmosphere from the loud laughing and chatting of Forensicators from WHS, as well as other schools. Tuesday, Jan. 31, was the Forensics Districts meet held at WHS. In the cafeteria, after the second round, all Forensicators were taking a break from the stress of public speaking in front of five or six additional competitors, as well as a judge. They were  eating pizza before their third round. WHS Forensicators were gathered around two or three tables, rapping and cracking jokes. WHS Forensics won second place at Districts.

“Forensics is a place where you can express your creativity and see your peers in a different light,” said sophomore Forensicator Madelin Bender.

Bender has been on the Forensics team since the 9^th grade.  Over time, Forensics has progressed personally for Bender because she said she now knows what she is doing. She also said that Forensics coach and earth science teacher Ms. Erin “Dub” Widener is a coach but also a friend.

Senior Joe Bryant described Forensics as “competitive public speaking at its finest.”

It is Bryant’s first year joining the team. His awards include first place in storytelling and first place in duo improv at his first meet ever, third in storytelling and first in duo improv at his second meet. That night, Bryant would win first place in storytelling at the District meet.

Before the competitions, Bryant said he gets extremely nervous, but after the initial round, he said, he is good to go.

“I’ve gotten into the swing of things and I feel more comfortable with my piece and peers… [Widener] is an amazing coach. She brought me from not knowing my piece to first place,” he said.

The best part of Forensics for Bryant is “having fun and gettin’ that trophy.”

Bryant said that people don’t even know the WHS Forensics team exists despite the fact that if they didn’t win as a team, at least one individual wins something at every competition.

Senior Taylor Hines defines Forensics as the “art, craft, skill, and technology to be able to publically speak, perform, grow, and evolve as a team.”

He got into Forensics because of a friend, WHS graduate Amy Tripp, who told him about it. He said he didn’t really know what it was, and just thought of it as performing. Hines has been on the team all four years of high school, and said that he witnessed the team transform “from a little group of kids to such a large group…almost like a community.”

It is Widener’s sixth year coaching the team. She used to be an assistant coach to former WHS ancient world history teacher Ms. Rebecca Gettelman. Widener remembers when her team had just two people, and now there are about 30 students. She said that she believes the faculty recognizes Forensics but the students do not, and that this issue can be addressed simply by word of mouth; Forensicators should talk about it more in class.

Widener said that the money for hosting meets, such as for food for coaches, judges, and students, comes from an allotted amount given by VHSL. Unfortunately, she said this system is going to stop because the district claims that there is not enough money. On the plus side, Widener also fundraises, and right now there is quite a bit of money in the activity account – around $1,000.

She said she’d like to see more people join Forensics because she believes it is more fun with more people. She said that the kids make her laugh.

Widener has witnessed people change significantly over the years. She said senior Forensicator Victoria O’Leary gained confidence and changed her goals. She used to want to be a lawyer but after doing an Extemptoraneous competition at Forensics, she wanted to become an actress.

“And she gives Forensics credit for that,” Widener said.