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News

Forensics group thrives

Members participate in several competitions 
while staying academically focused

by MAYRA CRUZ
The Daily Cougar

Utilizing the arts of communication and persuasion, the UH Forensics Society has grown from an under-funded club to a producer of award-winning members who care more about doing their personal best than bringing home a trophy. 

Forensics -- which involves competitions in public speaking, debate and oral interpretation -- has been represented at UH since the 1950s, but because of waning participation and low funding the program was cut, then eventually reinstated in the summer of 2002 under the direction of Mike Fain. 

"I believe we are extremely blessed," Fain said.

The Forensics Society, a student organization of The Honors College, has more than 100 students, of which about 20 enter competitions held across the country and on campus throughout the year. All students are encouraged to participate, Fain said.

Theater freshman Whitney Mickel and education freshman Chris Hunter, once debate rivals in high school, have become star members of the group. Mickel and Hunter have won awards in numerous competitions, including the National Championship at the Novice National Tournament held earlier this year in Cheyenne, Wyo.

"You find out who does this because they love it versus who does it because they want that trophy," Hunter, who entered four competitions throughout the year, said.

Dedication, enthusiasm and an outstanding personality are keys to being successful in competitions, Mickel and Hunter said.

"I think that what upsets other universities about us is that we just don't care about winning," Hunter said. "It happens, but that's not how we measure our success. I want people to remember what was in my speech, not what place I got." 

Hunter placed third in the individual category of top overall speaker at the Novice Tournament.

Despite the team's successes, competitive participation takes a back seat to academics. Before the Senior National Championships, Fain pulled the team from the tournament because it coincided with exams in the participants' classes.

"Every time we have a tournament, I try to be there," Mickel said. "I've been in eight out of 11."

For her efforts, Mickel made it to the final round of poetry and dramatic interpretation at the Novice Tournament.

In addition to fostering rhetoric skills, the Forensics Society has allowed members to volunteer as judges in forensics competitions held at area schools. Members also volunteer in the annual Star of Hope Mission's lunch project in August and perform at DePelchin Children's Center in November.

"I want more people to experience what we experience," Mickel said. "I love this so much; I want to coach it."

For more information, contact Fain at (713) 385-0541.

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