The Coaches Will Crocker SLRHS Coach Mark McNeil SHHS Coach

On Saturday, January 5, two Superpowers in the scholastic Forensics world competed in a major speech meet hosted by Silver Lake Regional High School. The Silver Lake speech team and Sacred Heart High School of Kingston, joined by over a dozen other schools from throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island matched public speaking talents with over 325 student participants.

The National Forensic League competitions see entrants in just about every speech category imaginable from humorous and serious readings, children’s literature, radio broadcasting, original orations, duo and multiple readings, extemporaneous speaking, group discussion and even Student Congress where students replicate the process played out in Washington with perhaps an even better talent pool with more sophisticated results.

This listing doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the wide range of competition categories in which students may even double enter. Typically, students participate in three rounds of preliminary competition with about 6-7 youngsters in each round. They are ranked by a single judge. Tabulations are done after the three rounds and the top 6-7 students go head-to-head in a final round with three judges. These final rounds are always well attended and are used as a resource by participants who don’t make the final cut.

At the end of the meet trophies are awarded to all finals participants with the greater goal to finish first, second or third. Traditionally all students give the top finisher in each category a rousing standing ovation. Sweepstakes awards are also given to the schools who have amassed the greatest number of points by participants of their respective schools. Silver Lake took first place in the intermediate sized school category while Sacred Heart snared a second place finish in the large school category. Categories are based on the number of entries at the meet.

One thing becomes clear early on, these are the brightest and most talented kids that each school has to offer. Their attire, behavior, professionalism, camaraderie and seriousness of purpose is something that has always struck this writer with awe. You are looking at the future leaders of this country and the youngsters who continue to make us proud for as long as we know them.

Their success begins at home where parents offer the encouragement necessary merge with this wonder group, the development continues with the coaches. Sacred Heart is blessed with the talents of Mark McNeil a Deep South Mississippi transplant who has developed a powerhouse of talent with great depth, and Will Crocker the Silver Lake Coach who has developed a solid program which remains competitive year after year. Both men have solid successes with students who have qualified and placed on the national level at both the NFL Nationals and the Catholic Forensic League (CFL) Nationals.

Competitors for national participation come as the result of year-long involvement and success at the state finals. Throughout their years of competition students earn points that first qualify them for membership into the prestigious NFL with the prized gold pin that signifies the achievement, but the companion pins given for continuous participation and success. It is a long and arduous journey for those who give four years of dedication to this intellectual pursuit but one well worth the effort.

These students are sought by the most prestigious colleges in the country, grant and scholarship money is abundant and the contacts and friendships made will last a lifetime. If you ever think our kids aren’t up to the task of inheriting the challenges of leading us throughout this new millennium, contact these coaches and ask to attend an NFL meet. Stop by the schools and look at their trophy cases. We are in good hands.