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Show Abe Lincoln Forensic Festival draws Utah-Nevada High School Students Honest Abe's birthday won't be forgotten at Southern Utah State College. An estimated 700 Utah and Nevada high school students will be on hand to participate in something Abe liked best, forensic activities. For the fifth consecutive year, high school students have been invited to participate in the Abe Lincoln Forensic Festival, always scheduled for the weekend of Lincoln's birth date. Festival dates this year are February 11 and 12, Abe's birthday. bir-thday. "We have 160 entries in legislative forum, 150 entries in persuasive speaking, 134 entries in extemporaneous speaking, 153 entries in impromptu speaking and 132 teams entered in cross-examination cross-examination debate," Steve Van Dyke, SUSC debate coach, said. "Community citizens, especially those with some forensic training, are invited to help judge the forensic categories," Van Dyke said. Interested persons may call 5H6-9624 5H6-9624 for information. Training sessions will be held to acquaint potential judges with the how-to's how-to's of forensic scoring. The annual festival was established by SUFA (Southern Utah Forensics Association) members, to foster good citizenship, speaking and reasoning abilities, and critical thought processes. "And what person better exemplified these characteristics charac-teristics than our 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln," Van Dyke said. Students from the 24 participating par-ticipating schools will enter preliminary rounds of competition, com-petition, winners from each going into semi-final then final rounds. Trophies will be awarded the first three places in each area of competition, with sweepstakes trophies going to the schools who have the highest total team scores. In addition, awards are given to an outstanding debate coach and to an outstanding "Friend of Debate." Past recipients include Jeanne Pensis, Cedar High School debate coach; O. Geral Wilde, past president of the National Forensic League; SUSC President Royden C. Braith-waite; Braith-waite; and J. Marion Tree, Executive Secretary of the Utah High School Activities Association. "We are very pleased with the number of participants planning to enter the Festival this year," Van Dyke said, "interested citizens are invited to attend the tournament and sit in on some of the rounds." Participating schools include: Granger, Jordan, Highland, Murray, Olympus, Eat, Orem, Weber, Spanish Fork, American Fork, Ogden, Carbon, Payson, Cedar, Springville, Provo, Box Elder, Bear River, Lehi, Bingham, South Sevier, Kearns, Valley (Orderville). Chaparral High School, a Las Vegas Entry, will also participate par-ticipate in the forensics festival. |