The tournament is an opportunity to ease novices into the world of forensics competition. Novices are college students who have competed in no more than three tournaments. Forensics course work prepares students to research and analyze material, organize and write speeches, develop public speaking skills, and participate in tournaments.
The tournament will offer three rounds plus finals of 11 individual events: Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Prose, Poetry, Drama, Dramatic Duo, Program Oral Interpretation, Rhetorical Criticism, Informative, Persuasive, and After-Dinner Speaking. The top six contestants in each event will receive awards (the top 12 in duo) as well as the top three pentathlon speakers. Sweepstakes trophies will be awarded to the top three schools in both small and large school divisions.
"There aren't many opportunities for novices in this region," Hughes said. "While they can do very well in competition, it can be difficult for first-time students because they're always competing against experienced students. A team may have a first-time competitor going up against someone who is in his/her fourth year. A novice tournament allows an even playing field for all the students participating."
ABAC's Forensics Team this year includes Teri Whiddon from Ashburn, Tom Gay from Tifton, Liv Henderson from Tifton, Susan Manders from Vienna, Clark Johnson from Donalsonville, and Dana Joiner from Adel. All are novices who will compete except Whiddon, team president and varsity competitor. She will assist Hughes in running the tournament.
Whiddon said the ABAC Forensics Team is excited about hosting the tournament.
"We have teams coming from Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, as well as Georgia," Whiddon said. "It's a chance for us to show off our campus and south Georgia hospitality."
Hughes has served as the Georgia Intercollegiate Forensics Association (GIFA) president and is now its secretary/treasurer. In February, ABAC was the host school for the Sixth Annual GIFA State Championship.
For additional information, contact Hughes at (229) 386-7164.
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