Mount St. Mary Academy’s Forensics Team earned several first place finishes at the 2024 Arkansas Forensics and Debate State Championship held April 12-13 at Little Rock Central High School. The team was named the Arkansas State Champion in Words and Music and in Readers’ Theatre, and Lizzy Darnold ’24 and Bri Boggs ’24 were named the Arkansas State Champions in Duo Interpretation. Additionally, Sydney Shalin ’27 was named a semifinalist in Poetry.
A total of 7 of the Forensics Team’s 15 members were eligible to compete in individual events in this year’s state championship based on their performance at qualifying events throughout the season. Other participants included Isabella Nguyen ’25 in Poetry and Bella Angtuaco ’25 in Prose. Bri Boggs also competed in Prose. Eligible members who were unable to compete due to a conflicting event elsewhere in the state included Maya Johnson ’25 in Duo Interpretation and Poetry and Annabelle Owen ’25 in Impromptu Speaking and Prose.
Additional members of the 2023-2024 Forensics Team include: Caroline Cash ’25, Sydney Kersey ’26, Jordyn Lane ’26, Doneyce Leopard ’24, Ria Mares ’26, Harper Peairson ’27, Addison Ray ’27, and Mady Reyes ’25. The team is coached by Jenny Moses, MSM theatre and forensics instructor and Arts Department chair.
Organized by the Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association, the state championship represents the culmination of the forensics and debate season where hundreds of competitors enter weekend tournaments to compete in the art of oral presentation. Described by some as “competitive acting,” forensics competitions, in particular, include events such as storytelling, poetry, informative speaking or humorous interpretation and improvisation.
We congratulate our Forensics Team on a very successful season!
