NE forensics team racks up trophies
by Nathan Key, reporter

    After competing at the Southwest Texas State University speech tournament, the NE forensics team recently returned with several awards in a variety of events.

   First-place honors went to T.J. Riffle and Lisa Simmons for their duo interpretation. Stacey Bryant took home a sixth-place trophy for her informative speech while Brandon Moore was a semi-finalist in open impromptu speaking.

   In another recent competition, Patreece Dade won fourth place and Andrew Brown won sixth for their dramatic interpretations.

   The NE forensics team is led by Lisa Benedetti, instructor of speech, and is assisted by Phillip Morgan.

   “Lisa and Philip are very open and down to earth. They are there to support us however they can,” Riffle said.

   The school covers most costs of the tournaments including travel expenses and entry fees. The team is having a fund-raiser Thursday, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Center Corner to help raise money for future expenses. Students will perform speeches, poems and dramatic interpretations. The cost is $2.

   Tournaments are usually between two to three days long and consist of many competitions that occur simultaneously.

   “Competitions are great. They are a place where we can meet new people and enjoy each other’s company,” Dade said.

   Approximately 25 teams compete in the state tournaments. National competitions, held in April, can consist of 70-90 teams from all over the nation.

   The team is always looking for new members, and anyone can join, Benedetti said. The team consists of students with many different majors, none of which are speech.

   “I have only been on the team for about a month and a half now. I joined mid-semester.” Riffle said.

   Benedetti said anyone can contribute.

   “Forensics is one activity that can use knowledge learned from all classes,” she said.

   Students can benefit from forensics tournaments by receiving scholarships. Many schools see these competitions and also see how well each student does. Scholarships could be awarded from schools like University of North Texas, University of Texas, University of Texas at Arlington or Rice, Benedetti said.

   Students interested in the NE forensics team should contact Benedetti at 817-515-6986 or by e-mail at lisa.benedetti@tccd.edu.