The tournament is an opportunity to ease novices into 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 11 individual events in three categories of speeches: prepared, limited preparation, and interpretation of literature. The top six contestants in each event will receive awards as well as the top three pentathlon. Pentathlon students compete in a minimum of five events--at least one from each of the three categories. Sweepstakes trophies will be awarded to the top three schools in both small and large school divisions.
"We're excited about hosting the tournament for a second time," Sheila Hughes, ABAC's Director of Forensics and Assistant Professor of Communication, said. "It was an excellent event last year, and we anticipate it being even bigger and better this year."
ABAC's Forensics Team this year includes Tom Gay of Tifton, Jessica Thompson of Carrollton, and Sherrie Hines of Chula. All are novices who will compete in the competition except Gay, team president and varsity competitor. He will assist Hughes in running the tournament. Last year, competitors from schools in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and Alabama participated in the tournament.
"I know how much this tournament helped me last year so I'm looking forward to seeing how much it will help our new team members," Gay said. "Our coach has spent several hours--including nights and weekends--coaching the novices and making arrangements for our guests. I think it will be another great weekend."
"There aren't many opportunities for novices in this region," Hughes said. "In fact, this is the only novice tournament in the southeast. Novice tournaments are important because they are excellent opportunities for novices to 'cut their teeth' against other first-time competitors rather than competing against students in their third or fourth year of competition. A novice tournament provides an even playing field for all students participating."
During the 2000-01 season, ABAC was ranked third in the state and sixth in the southeast. ABAC's team was the top ranking team among two-year colleges in Georgia. At the first tournament of the 2001-02 season in September, the team won third place in the sweepstakes.
For additional information, contact Hughes at (229) 386-7164.
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