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!