News & Events

A new team this school year, the Middle School Forensics team excelled on December 12 at the Robert S. Sergeant Independent Schools Forensics League Tournament.

Norfolk Academy hosted the event, which included five schools: NA; Cape Henry Collegiate; The Williams School; Virginia Beach Friends School; and Norfolk Collegiate. 

Virginia Laurie, a Middle School English Teacher new this year to NA, served as the Bulldogs' coach. She recruited nine students, with more than half winning awards at the competition.

• Riya S. '30 (First place, Original Oratory)
• Alana W. '30 (Second place, Girls Storytelling)
• Angel A. '30, (Third place, Girls Poetry) 
• Miles C. '31 (Third place, Boys Poetry)
• Cecelia O. '31 (Sergeant Spirit Award)

Medals were awarded in the following categories: Boys’ Prose; Girls’ Prose; Boys’ Poetry; Girls’ Poetry; Co-ed Original Oratory; Co-ed Speech Performance; Boys’ Storytelling; Girls’ Storytelling.

Forty years ago, Robert Sergeant, a master teacher and orator at NA, began the forensics program because he thought that young students would benefit from the opportunity to engage in public speaking. He was so convinced of the value of this activity that he organized and orchestrated this tournament for 14 years. After he passed away, this annual tournament was renamed in his honor.

Lower School students will compete in the spring.