RHS Forensics Way better than CSI

The Ridgeland High School Forensics (Speech and Debate) team began during the 2003 - 2004 school year when the school was one year old.

The first year RHS had 4 students to qualify for the National Catholic Forensics League (NCFL) Grand National Tournament that was held in Boston, MA.

The second year RHS had 7 students to qualify for the NCFL Tournament that was held in Milwaukee, WI. At this tournament, Melissa Cline, Oral Interpreter, was a semi-finalist in Oral Interpretation.

The third year RHS had 10 students qualify for the NCFL Tournament that was held in Chicago, IL. At this tournament, Melissa Cline, Oral Interpreter, was an octa-finalist in Oral Interpretation. Melissa also qualified to attend the National Forensic League Tournament to be held in Dallas, TX in June. This year we placed 5th at the MHSAA State Championship.

The fourth year RHS had 14 studens qualify for the NCFL Tournament that was held in Houston, TX. Melissa Cline was a quarterfinalist in Oral Interpretation. We also had 4 students qualify to attend the National Forensic League Tournament that was held in Wichita, KS. These students were: Jessica Grissett, Zach Davis, David Hudson, and Jake Reed. Jessica was in the top 50 in Extemporaneous Commentary, Zach Davis was an octa-finalist in Expository Speaking, Jake Reed was an octa-finalist in Expository Speaking, and David Hudson was an octa-finalist in Impromptu Speaking. This year we placed 3rd at the MHSAA State Championship and were named individual state champions in poetry interpretation, prose interpretation, and humorous interpretation.

The fifth year RHS had 15 students qualify for the NCFL Tournament that was held in Appleton, WI. David Hudson served as Presiding Officer of a Congressional Session. We also had 5 students qualify to attend the National Catholic Forensic League Tournament that was held in Las Vegas, NV.  Jessica Grissett was in the top 60 of extemporaneous commentary and expository speaking, David Hudson was P.O. of a Congressional House Chamber, and he was in the top 80 of poetry interpretation, Hailey Moore was P.O. of a Congressional Senate Chamber, and Alex Jones was in the top 60 of extemporaneous commentary.  Jessica Grissett was also named a NFL Academic All Star. This year we placed 2nd at the MHSAA State Championship and were named individual state champions in storytelling, extemporaneous speaking, and Lincoln Douglas Debate. 

We welcome all students to become a part of this growing team, and to increase their communication skills through this activitity. RHS competes at approximately 10 in-state tournaments over the course of one school year (not including 2 possible national tournaments) .

We are always looking for new students, new judges, and sponsors for the team. For more information contact Coach Stacy Howell at showell@madison-schools.com