Mack Lyon Middle School Forensics students pictured on back row l to r: Katie Hendrix, Spencer Baker, Garrett O’Toole, Jessica Abbott & Autumn Boren. On front row: Nephi Boren, Joe Garber, and Shannon Gongos

Eight Mack Lyon students attended the last middle school Forensics Tournament of the year on April 30 at Miller Middle School in Las Vegas.

The local students all performed very well despite the fact that for some it was their first tournament or their first time to perform a new piece, said Lyon Forensics Teacher Bev Bradley

Holding trophies are the students who placed in their respective events. Spencer Baker and Nephi Boren took third trophies at the competition with their humorous duo. Jessica Abbott gave an Expository speech, winning third place. Garrett O’Toole also took third place with his humorous interpretation.

This was the first tournament for Shannon Gongos, who took fifth in the Original Oratory category.

Katie Hendrix tried a category new to her, Humorous Interpretation, and placed sixth.

Autumn Boren placed in two events, Congress and a duo with Joe Garber, where they won fourth place. In addition, Garrett and Joe teamed up for a debate event, Public Forum.

Forensics as an elective course was something new for Lyon Middle School this year, but Bradley said that it seems to have benefited many students.

“Most students who participated in forensics have signed up for it at the high school,” Bradley said. “Thus, the high school program should build up even more quickly with students who are already familiar with the format and how to overcome their public speaking apprehensions.”