It’s 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. You have been herded into the BPHS cafeteria along with 500 other students who are all wearing suits. Some are eating donuts and some are talking to walls. You pinch yourself, thinking it is a dream. It’s not a dream– it’s the Black Hawk Invitational Tournament.

Each February, BPHS hosts the only two-day forensics tournament in the state. This Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11, approximately 40 schools, 500 kids, and 200 judges will travel to BPHS from places as far as Ohio and West Virginia to compete. Members of the Speech and Debate Team compete in speech and debate by orally presenting and portraying prepared pieces and debating provided topics before judges.

“The topics are incredibly varied,” said junior Greydon Tomkowitz. “A piece could be anything from a sad, dramatic piece, to a humorous piece, to a congressional debate on anything from the content of school lunches to whether or not the Death Star should be built,” he continued.

Although the team doesn’t compete in their own tournament, they prepare to manage it for weeks in advance. “There is an immense amount of work required,” said Tomkowitz.

They also practice their own pieces for other tournaments twice a week: on Mondays and Thursdays in the library after school.

Being one of the largest tournaments in the area, it is difficult to keep things running smoothly. Often times certain events will hold up all the others, so competitors have to wait before moving to the next round. “It’s hectic fun,” junior Madison Newman said. “My freshman year, someone brought a guitar and another kid brought bongos, so there were sing-alongs while waiting for the next rounds to start,” she added.

The memories made at the tournaments are not the only satisfying part of forensics, however. Newman expanded on the benefits, saying: “Public speaking is a life skill, one that most kids are afraid of. Forensics not only looks good on a college application, but prepares people for whatever career path they choose. I have learned great things about public speaking in forensics that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else, and will use the skills I have gained for years to come.”

If you would like to be part of the Speech and Debate Team, contact head coach Ms. Robb or talk to a current member.

Also, there will be a volunteer opportunity at the tournament for NHS hours– sign up by contacting Courtney Manns.