Three students from York High School, Jacob Brauner (Jr.), Eduardo Burgos-Cueva (Sr.), and Summer Vander Kooi (Jr.) attended the Forensics State Championships to compete in speeches and oral presentations. The competition occurred in three rounds on Saturday March, 26th at Clover Hill High School outside of Richmond.
The forensics team was coached by English teacher Dr. Jaime Miller. Along with a coach, the team was accompanied to states by Heather Steinmiller, who lent her time as a judge of the competition. Burgos-Cueva and Vander Kooi participated in original oratory where they each gave original speeches regarding important topics. Burgos-Cueva spoke about the injustices faced by Hispanic immigrants in the United States while Vander Kooi addressed the pressing issue of veteran suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder. They participated in rounds with four other competitors where “each speech was personal to the individual” said Burgos-Cueva (Sr.).
Brauner, the other student from York High School, competed in the extemporaneous category. He was given a set amount of time to research and prepare a short speech about a new current topic each round. There were three other students in his rounds, and “they were all very good,” said Brauner (Jr.). The students gave each other quality competition in every round.
The day was long as the competitors sat in the cafeteria between rounds. Some students practiced their presentations in front of walls while the York High School students talked amongst themselves. One member of the forensics team, Jenny Calderon (Jr.), did qualify for states, but was unable to compete due to a schedule conflict.
York took second place at the super-regional competition in February.
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