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Lower School Students Earn Medals At Regional Forensics Competition
Forensics

Three Lower School students earned medals at this year's Robert S. Sergeant Independent School Forensics competition!

Robert S. Sergeant, a former Sixth Grade English Teacher, started Norfolk Academy's Lower School Forensics program more than 30 years ago. Academy participates with independent schools throughout the Hampton Roads area in the regional competition that he helped create, which allows students to highlight and strengthen their public speaking skills.

At Academy, the Lower School season starts with tryouts in December and practices in January. This school year, more than 40 students joined the team. Most practiced once a week with their category coach. Fourth Grade Teacher Kathy Lonergan worked with Poetry; Fifth Grade Teacher Jen Walker worked with Prose; Library Research Teacher Marianne Tembe worked with Story Tellers; and Lower School Counselor Susan Duquette and Admissions Director Sarah Smythe worked with the Oratory group. Mrs. Duquette also met with small groups of fourth graders during study halls twice a week. Artist In Residence Sean Dugan '92, an accomplished actor, shared his knowledge with the students.

On March 25, Academy held a speak-off in Price Auditorium to select the group that would advance to the regional event. The William School hosted that event on April 6.

Amay Patel '28 won first place in Boys Prose; Alden Morrall '29 won second place in Boys Storytelling; and Ryan Benton '29 won third place in Boys Poetry. In addition, Marybelle Trembath '29 won Academy's Robert S. Sergeant Award, which was given to one student from each school who demonstrated tenacity, effort, positive attitude, and determination, and was a team player. 

Congratulations! Academy plans to host a performance of all team members on April 26, for their families.     

Amay '28

Amay '28

Alden '29

Alden '29

Ryan '29

Ryan '29

Marybelle '29

Marybelle '29

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