Philosophy of the Forensics Team	Categories	Special Announcements
Bylaws	Upcoming Events	Results of Recent Competitions
Staff	Competition Schedule	New Students
Links	Practice Schedules	Forensic Alums
Contact Information	Parents’ Judging Schedule	North Catholic Tournament
Coaching Hints for Various Categories	Judging Handbook

Why Join Forensics?

Much has been written and said about why students should join this co-curricular activity, but sometimes people need to hear even more to be convinced. In addition to my own personal prejudice which states, unequivocally that forensics is the most important life activity that I have ever moderated (and that includes quite a list – basketball, student government, cheerleading, yearbook, etc.) I would like to offer you some other opinions as I find them. Please read and enjoy!

Tim O’Donnell 88 comments on the importance of debate

Rostrum: The Value of Speech, Debate and Theater Activities

Mother Jones Revenge of the Nerds November/December 2006

Parade Magazine February 2005

Philosophy of the Forensics Team

The North Catholic forensic program is open to all students of North Catholic High School who are in academic good standing with the school and who are not on disciplinary probation.

The purposes of the program are

· to provide an opportunity for all students to gain experience in the field of public speaking;

· to learn the fundamentals of good public speaking;

· to learn and use basic research skills;

· to foster an interest in local, national and global affairs;

· to develop an appreciation of the arts and literature and/or an awareness of current problems.

The program also attempts to provide an arena where students can demonstrate their acquired skills. This is done through local, regional and national competitions, and through various scholarship competitions throughout the year. To achieve these goals, North Catholic is a member of the National Forensic League, the National Catholic Forensic League and the Pennsylvania High School Speech League. Its coaches are members of all of the above and additionally are part of the Pennsylvania Speech and Debate Association and the National Federation of Speech and Debate.

Student membership is voluntary, but in registering with the school program the student assumes several responsibilities. At a minimum, the student must understand that

· s/he represents North Catholic

· s/he is accountable to the coaches for work agreed to be done

· s/he is accountable to the coaches for behavior at any forensics related activity

· s/he is expected to support the school in some seemingly non-related activities.

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Staff

Mrs. Joyce Osborne-Fischer

Ms. Beth Young

Officers:

Presidents: Vince Lamperski

Jessica Hartman

Secretary: Matt Harvey

Novice Director: Ally Scalo

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Upcoming events

November 10	Quigley Tournament
November 14	North Catholic Festival
November 17	Baldwin Festival
November 28	Congress at North Allegheny
December 1	Delone Catholic, Lancaster
December 8	Sewickley Academy, Congress Trophy Tournament
December 15	North Catholic HS 33^rd Invitational
January 5	Mars Festival
January 12	Baldwin Tournament
January 19	Pine Richland Tournament
January 26	Mercer Tournament
February 2	North Hills Tournament
February 8 - 9	Bethel Park Tournament
February 16	NFL District Congress at Deer Lakes

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Links

National Catholic Forensic League	www.ncfl.org
Pennsylvania High School Speech League	www.phssl.org
National Forensic League	www.nflonline.org
Diocese of Pittsburgh CFL	http//www.pittsburghcfl.org
Pittsburgh District NFL	http://www.pittsburghnfl.com
Pennsylvania Speech and Debate	http://www.paspeechanddebate.com/
Association

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Contact Information

Ms. Beth Young

PHONE: 412.321.4823 x229

FAX: 412.321.0599

Email: byoung14@yahoo.com

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Back to Beth Young Home Page

Last revised: January 1, 2008