It’s not the study of dead bodies, although for some, it may be something even more terrifying.
It’s competitive public speaking and drama, and for the Forensics team at Lake Orion High School, it’s something at which they are very good.
The team recently sent 10 participants to the state competition, which was held May 1-3 at Eastern Michigan University, and according to Coach Liza Sugar, it’s the most the team has ever sent.
Competing for Lake Orion were Cody Stauber, Mindy Stubbs, Dana Spears, Rebecca Jones, Leah Ouellet, Siyu Li, Rebecca Ryan, Diane McNulty, Matthew Hood and Parisa Soraya.
The participants qualified for the state competition after being chosen to represent their team in regionals and ultimately qualifying at that tournament.
For Sugar, who noted that the forensics competitive season runs from February through May, with the participants starting to prepare in October, it was rewarding to see the students do so well throughout the season.
‘It’s a long season,? she said, ‘and it’s great to see so much success at the end of it.?
‘It’s so nice to see kids doing well, learning and succeeding,? Sugar added.
Seven of Lake Orion’s competitors ‘broke? for semi-finals, meaning they had scores high enough to qualify them into the top-12 in their category.
From semis, three continued on to place in the top six.
Stauber, a junior, took fifth place in Storytelling, while teammates Stubbs, a sophomore, and Spears, a senior, took sixth and second in Informative, respectively.
According to Sugar, who noted Lake Orion has had students place at every regular season tournament this year, the team has also found success as a whole, placing overall as well. They continued that streak by taking seventh place as a team at states.
‘I’m so proud to be their coach,? Sugar said of her team, ‘and grateful for all of their hard work.?
High school students interested in getting involved with the Forensics team should contact Coach Sugar at lsugar@lakeorion.k12.mi.us.