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it's a new year!!!

Welcome to Lake Forest Forensics 2010!

We're excited and happy to get back to school and to get this year's season going, but then many of you already know that, having been "going" much of the summer!

As you are aware, our captains, Alex Kroger, Jenny Poth and Hannah Gersten have been hard at work since May networking and getting as many team members as possible started on events for this upcoming season, so we return this year at least as ready as we've ever been and even more focused.

2010 Primary Event Rule:

This new rule is designed to accomplish two ends at the same time: help new members by not asking too much of them all at once and help the team by closing those notorious event holes we had all year last year when no one was prepared for two or three of the fourteen Individual Events and the team therefore had no real chance to compete.  So this season every freshman, sophomore and junior is being assigned a Primary Event in a category selected by the coaching staff.  We will help you to work with that event, hone it, and strengthen your performance in it.  (New team members will be provided with pieces; returning members will have until mid-September to claim their own before coaches provide them.)

Once the coach you are working with on your event is satisfied that you are doing well, you will be allowed to select a second event of your own choosing.  We will help you to find a partner or piece as needed.  Note that seniors are exempt from this rule.  Also note that nothing prevents you from working on the second piece all along, but it will not be allowed to compete until the Primary Event is ready for competition.

Ferry Forensics Fest 2011:

Yes, I said "2011."  This year's LFHS festival will be held next year.  January 22, to be exact.  We think this is a fantastic thing.  It moves our festival far from the plays, allowing everyone to compete. Its end of season date makes sure all of our pieces are as honed as they ever will be.  It provides one final SCOTIE qualifying opportunity the likes of which we have not had since the old Stevenson Tournament gave up the ghost.  And it finally gives our team a tremendously solid raison d'etre after the winter break.

The Officers:

As I mentioned above, Hannah, Jenny and Alex have been active and enthusiastic since spring, and everyone is looking forward to a strong, productive, exciting season.  But you may have noticed that, beginning this year, we've cut down the number of official officers, eliminating former positions like secretary and archivist and novice officer, etc.  The coaches feel that solid, clear leadership starts with people--the number is flexible--who work well together and can show the team that they care about it and that they deserve to be respected as leaders.  We feel we have made some very fine choices, and their actions thus far have validated that.  Still, their work as leaders and our success as a team is determined by your effort as team members: without the second-level positions I mentioned above, the officers will be looking to team members frequently for enthusiastic help in quasi-leadership capacities during the season.  If they come to you, we all hope that you'll dive in and show what you've got.  Consider it a kind of audition.  After all, by season's end, we'll need to replace at least one of them...

(Alex is a senior.)  :-)

We have a whole lot to talk about, so plan to attend our opening meeting right after Labor Day.  Look for Posters and listen for announcements.  Of course you could also stop up in Topham's Attic (Room 305) any time at all to chat or hang out or start finding your second piece (assuming that your first one is moving along).

Meanwhile, as I said before...welcome back!

banquet time...finally!

May 14.
6PM.
Faculty Dining Room.

We supply the chicken, plates, napkins, and plasticware.
You supply the salads, appetizers and desserts.

We supply the awards.
You supply the entertainment.

It's the 2009 Forensics Banquet!

See Lain or Jeffrey for showcase signup.
Parents are welcome and desired.

Contact Lain or me to let us know that you are coming, how many will be here from your family, and what you'll be bringing. Let us know ASAP, but definitely by Monday!

It's the most fun you'll have in May without putting on a tux or a fancy dress!

And BTW... watch for our after school spring workshops the last two weeks of May!

--kt

banquet postponed

Our forensics banquet, scheduled for next Thursday, April 16, has been postponed until May (tentative date: Thursday, May 7). This will allow everyone to get through the musical and breathe a bit. Lain and Jeffrey will organize the showcase aspect. As the date approaches (again), we will need to work on who will bring what, but for now, please focus on school and making Thoroughly Modern Millie the best musical it can possibly be.

Please spread the word to everyone, and remember to invite parents; it is a family affair.

Sending this status update from ping.fm to four networks at once!

Officers and Banquet

Congratulations to next year's Leadership Council:

Captains: Jeffrey Niedermaier and Lain Kienzle
Novice Leader: Neil Phelps
Secretary: Jenny Poth
Archivist: Julia Calabrese

This year's awards banquet will be held on Thursday, April 16. To avoid interference rehearsal or sports practice on that day, and to make it possible for parents to attend (and of course they are invited!) we will not begin until 6 PM. We'll have dinner and awards and a showcase. Jeffrey and Lain will contact you about the latter.

--kt

Seeking Other Officers

The Forensics Team leadership (coaches and captains) is actively seeking other officer candidates for the 2009-2010 school year for the following positions:

Novice Leader

• This officer's responsibility as a member of the Leadership Council is to assist the captains and coaches with the tasks required to organize and run the team.
  
• The Novice Leader's specific area is focused on working with novices, making sure that they are becoming acclimated to the team, personally getting to know them, and assuring that they are working on their pieces in a timely fashion.
  
• The Novice Leader may also be called upon at times to help them to find pieces and to work with them in a practice capacity.
  
• Socially, the Novice Leader is a bridge or liaison between the novices and the varsity members of the team, helping them to integrate quickly into our routines. The officer might help to arrange gatherings specifically aimed at the novices, for example, and should take a special interest in their achievements, noting them at meetings, etc.

Secretary

• This officer's responsibility as a member of the Leadership Council is to assist the captains and coaches with the tasks required to organize and run the team.
• The Secretary will be responsible to keep an accurate record of attendance at all meetings and all forensics team functions in order to provide a measure for eligibility for tournaments, etc.
• The Secretary will keep records of performance at each tournament throughout the season, recording team and individual performances on a spreadsheet as a measure that aids coaches in determining end of season awards.
  
• The Secretary will keep a running tabulation of SCOTIE-bound team members.
• The Secretary will maintain the organization of the bookcase and file cabinet throughout the year and keep track of books that leave the room so that they can be returned in a timely manner.
• The Secretary will sign out black books and stop watches to team members who need them.

Archivist

• This officer's responsibility as a member of the Leadership Council is to assist the captains and coaches with the tasks required to organize and run the team.
• The Archivist's special responsibility is to chronicle the year for the forensics team. This may involve photography, videotaping, or any other kind of record.
• The Archivist should ideally be someone interested in an knowledgeable about the skills necessary to perform this role well, though an enthusiastic newcomer would be considered.
  
• The Archivist should ideally be someone knowledgeable enough in the use of editing software to create a DVD record of the season.
• It is the responsibility of the Archivist to be present at team functions, both formal and informal, and to take pictures or videos. If the officer cannot be present, he or she may designate a substitute.

If anyone desires to be considered for these positions, please contact Mrs Topham as soon as possible.