Remote Forensics at UAIS
June 7, 2021
What is Forensics? Those unfamiliar with the club may be inclined to think of forensic analysis, but Forensics here at UAIS is far different. In simple terms, Forensics is competitive speaking and acting, with multiple different sub-categories to compete in within the two disciplines. Forensics Competitors (or “Forensicators”) that are interested in more formal public speaking and limited preparation speaking can choose to compete in categories like Oratory, Informative, Sales, Impromtu, Extemporaneous, or Broadcasting. On the other hand, Forensicators interested in the acting or interpretive side of Forensics can compete in categories like Prose, Poetry, Dramatic Interpretation, Storytelling, Duo, and Multiple. In any given category (with the exception of limited preparation events), Forensicators come up with a performance or presentation that they work to improve throughout the season, with the goal of succeding at the state competition in early May. To do this, UAIS Forensics holds practices throughout the January-April season and attends invitational competitions on Saturdays to recieve critiques from judges that help prepare Forensicators for the judging at the state competition. With the restrictions being faced by the team due to COVID-19, however, we’ve had to rethink the way we practice to tailor to the new remote learning formula.
Now facing the restrictions of COVID-19 social distancing guidlines, and with the whole school in remote learning until recently, the Forensics experience has changed quite a bit. During my interview with him, UAIS Forensics Coach Christopher Kuhlman (Mr. Kuhlman) stated, “******”
With these new changes, the UAIS Forensics team have had their own reactions to this new approach, and many certainly miss the old ways. When asked how her experience in Forensics this year differed from last year, Aubrey Westerfield said “For practice we split off into breakout rooms, whereas we used to be able to go to different parts of the hallway to practice and preform for other people. For competitions there used to be big gatherings of people and we were able to meet and talk to competitors from other schools, but now we only interact with people from our school for the most part.”
