Millburn Forensics 5th in Nation at Yale Invitational Tournament

The Millburn High School Forensics Team is back, and bigger than ever. Over 120 MHS students have joined the team for the 2012-13 season, again led by head coach Michael Paul.

The team began its busy seven-month season at Yale University from September 21-23, sending 25 of its most seasoned competitors in most of the available events in both speech and debate.

The Millburn Forensics Team placed fifth place overall at the tournament, which included schools from all corners of the United States, from Massachusetts to Florida to Texas.

In the Extemporaneous Speaking event, junior captain Chase Harrison (coming off an appearance in the 2012 National Final Round) finished in third place in the tournament. In his final round, he assumed the persona of comic anchor Stephen Colbert in developing an extemporaneous argument regarding global policy with respect to climate change. Junior Sophia Deng broke to the quarterfinal (top 24) round in the tournament.

In the Oral Interpretation of Literature event, senior captain Max Sauberman finished in fifth place. His poetry and prose programs touched upon the importance of teachers and the quirks of education, performing various works by Taylor Mali, Mitch Albom, and more. Senior captain Claire Joffe reached the semifinal round, and finished the tournament in eighth place. Her poetry program was “A PSA to Women Who Don’t Consider Themselves Feminists”, and her prose was a dramatic cut from “We Need to Talk about Kevin”.

MHS also had success in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, anchored by senior captain Yang Yi, who reached the semifinal round (top 4) and was named top speaker for the entire tournament. Senior captains Michael Yuan and Shiv Malhotra reached the triple octafinal round. The L-D debaters developed cases to the resolution, “Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens,” and succeeded in their argumentation and analysis.

In the 2-on-2 Public Forum Debate event, senior captains Steven Yaffe and Saachi Gupta reached the semifinal round (top 4 teams). Juniors Nathaniel Schwamm and Luke Tolman reached the quarterfinals. Senior captains Josh Bain and Andrew Charette, along with juniors Matt Goodman and Tyler Levine, reached the triple octafinal round. The P-F debaters argued for and against “Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.”

The Forensics Team also entered students in Humorous Interpretation, Original Oratory, and Student Congress at the Yale Invitational.

What’s next for MHS Forensics? Millburn will be hosting a local tournament on October 27, and the team looks forward to a new season of experience, memories, and success.