Elsik

Kerr Speech and Debate 2002-2006 Chinese News Article

National Forensic League National Competition June, 2006

The National Forensic League [NFL] was established over 80 years ago to honor those who have excelled in speaking events. Many alumni have graced the political arena such as H. Humphrey, actors Oprah. Winfrey, etc. There are over 30,000 members in the US who participate in speech events, debate, and student congress annually.

This year the national tournament was held in Grapevine Texas next to Dallas Texas with over 3300 qualifying competitors from all over the United States. Kerr High School in Alief school district brought one contestant, Koplan Nwabuoku, with his coach Ching Chee to participate in student congress.

Student congress is an activity similar to the US congress in that the competitors, 433, are sworn in and they are asked to submit, argue and defend bills much like the US congress. This activity is a true test of the competitor’s skill not only in speaking but in endurance. Competitors display their speaking skills in a real life format as a representative or senator for 40 hours of competition and at least 20 hours of preparation at night in research of the bills. It is a grueling task both physically and mentally for the competitors. Those lasting through the task surely deserve the praise of their peers.

Koplan and his coach spent the first day preparing (50 bills in the prelim and 10 bills in the semi and 10 in the final) and participating in a 20 hour session for 2 days and qualifying to the next level in semifinals, where the field of 430 contestants was reduced to 66, and then into finals where again the field was reduced to 24.

Importance: Koplan finished #11 in student congress, Nation wide. This is the first time since 1999, that any Alief student has finished as a finalist at national. Only three other schools in Houston finished as a finalist: Bellaire and Dulles in 2006.

Our trustee steed that Chee can not park.	Six Flag Guard on the border	Roller coaster ride at National	We visited the park, but the heat was so intense, 105 degree, that we needed to escape into an outdoor theater.	Pinto horses, gunfight, and good old Texas brawls
		Tiffany display at the Dallas Musuem. Chee and Koplan and odd couple indeed.

430 participants preparing for competition

3300 participants seeking results	After the dance and the results.	Everyone was ready to let loose.	Grapevine opened its arms to NFL National
Koplan won and he yelled like a kid.	Local artists for the city of Grapevine	Glassblowers showing off their work	Where is my ride home?