A column about history, culture, policy, and things in between.
Last month a group of thirty-one students from Brookfield East High School left their campus to compete in the Wisconsin State Forensics Championship.
They returned with one additional companion - the State Championship Trophy. The Spartan Team has long been a powerhouse, and has several top five finishes in recent State competitions. But this was their first Championship.
Forensics is defined as “the art or study of formal argumentation and debate”. This is accurate but not fully descriptive, for at BEHS it is far more. It is a competitive team activity built upon the foundation of an Honors level academic endeavor, with nearly eighty participants. All of these are students whose shared passion and efforts converge to form a tightly woven community within a community. This community development starts with a summer picnic sponsored by the team to welcome incoming freshmen, so as to be sure they have some familiar faces to look for when they make the big transition to High School.
Brookfield resident Mary Wacker has long been the driving force behind this program, and has coached the team for seventeen years. Each year sees her commit hundreds of hours to the students, and the following narrative comes from an informal interview with her.
Work begins in October, but the “season” does not formally begin until January. The average week sees a minimum of one mandatory practice, though most students far exceed this. Each practice in turn requires hours of preparation. Meets are held on Saturdays and consume the entire day, with the kids leaving around 7 AM and not returning until after the dinner hour.
In addition to the specific skills of research, writing and speaking, the students immerse themselves in an environment of giving and receiving criticism, teamwork, and mutual encouragement and support. This develops personal characteristics and qualities that serve them for a lifetime. Each student selects an area of address with some selecting more than one. This environment developed depth, and it was the depth of this year’s BEHS team that proved the decisive factor in winning the Championship. It wasn’t just a few “stars” that carried the day. It was a large group of well-prepared and exemplary performers.
This month we have a tremendous opportunity to familiarize ourselves with Forensics in general and the BEHS Team in particular. On Friday, May 18th at 7 PM at the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, the individuals who competed at State will be giving their respective orations. I strongly encourage anyone to attend, but in particular, parents of middle-school students who may be considering this program for their child at either High School. The evening is presented free of charge, though please note that donations are welcomed; the proceeds of which would be applied to travel costs for students to attend National Competitions and other Team costs.
I can tell you from meeting and speaking with students of both High School Forensics programs that they have more than just outstanding skills in speaking and comportment. They have a comfortable confidence and enthusiasm that is almost tangible.
So please join me in sending your heartiest congratulations to the Team.
And to Mary Wacker we send thanks for her commitment to the young people in her charge.
