Forensics
DID YOU KNOW -- Since October 2000 when the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation television series was launched, speech students across the country have been explaining that the type of forensics they do has nothing to do with ballistics or blood splatter analysis.
The Virginia High School League has been supporting speech programs in public high schools since 1915 when it recognized a girls and boys champion in prose readings. The popularity of the event quickly spread and the contest evolved with the addition of pubic speaking in 1921, poetry reading in 1924 and spelling in 1930. Then came extemporaneous speaking and original oratory (with the removal of public speaking) in 1970, humorous and serious dramatic interpretation in 1986, duo interpretation in 1993, the splitting of extemporaneous speaking into domestic and foreign topics in 1994, storytelling in 1996 and impromptu speaking (with the removal of spelling) in 2003.
Since crowning of team champions began during the 1988-89 school year, clear powerhouses have emerged across the Groupings with Madison County High School winning 13 of 21titles, Blacksburg High School winning 15 of 21 titles, James Madison High School of Vienna winning seven titles, Princess Anne High School of Virginia Beach winning six Group AAA titles this decade and Salem High School of Salem winning the last three Group AA championships.
In 2009, West Springfield High School won the Group AAA championship, with Salem in Group AA and George Wythe High School of Wytheville winning for the first time in Group A.
1,571 girls and 1,079 boys at 193 member schools participated in forensics in 2008-09.
Forensics News
- All News
| Nov 05 09 | VHSL Play for a Cure |
Forensics Events
- All Events
| Mar 13 10 | Deadline - Forensics Regional Contests |
| Apr 10 10 | VHSL Forensics Championships |
| Oct 01 10 | VASDDC Conference |
In Forensics
Events
- Group Boards Meeting (March) Date: Mar 11 10 Location: Holiday Inn Koger Center, Richmond
- Membership Meeting (March) Date: Mar 12 10 Location: Holiday Inn Koger Center, Richmond
- VHSL Theatre Festival (AAA) Date: Mar 20 10 Location: Charlottesville, VA
- VHSL Forensics Championships Date: Apr 10 10 Location: Harrisonburg, VA
- R & R Meeting - Appeals and Final Recommendations Date: Apr 19 10 Location: VHSL Office, Lower Conference Room
- VHSL Debate Championships Date: Apr 23 10 Location: Lynchburg, VA
No current Forensics events.
- VHSL Theatre Festival (AAA) Date: Mar 20 10 Location: Charlottesville, VA
- VHSL Forensics Championships Date: Apr 10 10 Location: Harrisonburg, VA
- VHSL Debate Championships Date: Apr 23 10 Location: Lynchburg, VA
- VASDDC Conference Date: Oct 01 10 Location: English Inn, Charlottesville
No current Forensics events.
Resources
- » Allstate Foundation/VHSL Achievement Award Application (PDF, 58.6 KB)
- » Forensics District Director's Kit (PDF, 152 KB)
- » Forensics District Director's Report Form (PDF, 73.4 KB)
- » Forensics District Entry Form (MSWORD, 59.0 KB)
- » Forensics Hosting Schedule (PDF, 23.5 KB)
- » Forensics Regional Director's Kit (PDF, 153 KB)
- » Forensics Regional Director's Report Form (PDF, 76.4 KB)
- » Forensics Regional Entry Form (MSWORD, 74.5 KB)
- » Forensics Rules Clinic Handout (2009) (PDF, 44.2 KB)
- » Forensics Rules Clinic Survey (2009) (PDF, 9.41 KB)
- » Forensics Rules Clinic Survey Results (2009) (PDF, 30.3 KB)
- » Forensics State Entry Form (MSWORD, 76.0 KB)
- » Forensics State Meet Judging Form (PDF, 11.6 KB)
- » Forensics, Theatre and Debate Coaching Resources (PDF, 89.6 KB)
- » Jenny Bradley Memorial Scholarship Application (MSWORD, 29.5 KB)
- » Practice Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Topics (PDF, 34.3 KB)
- » Speech Tournaments and Workshops Listing (PDF, 15.5 KB)
- » Speech, Debate and Theatre Association Membership Application (PDF, 91.7 KB)
- » VHSL Forensics Manual (2009) (PDF, 271 KB)
- » VHSL Play for a Cure Toolkit (PDF, 1.58 MB)
- » VHSL Postponement Policy (Region & State Events) (PDF, 43.0 KB)
- » VHSL Sportsmanship Guidelines - State Events (PDF, 86.2 KB)
- » Wachovia Citizenship Award Application (PDF, 60.3 KB)
- More Resources
- » Forensics District Director's Kit (PDF, 152 KB)
- » Forensics Hosting Schedule (PDF, 23.5 KB)
- » Forensics Regional Director's Kit (PDF, 153 KB)
- » Forensics Rules Clinic Handout (2009) (PDF, 44.2 KB)
- » Forensics Rules Clinic Survey Results (2009) (PDF, 30.3 KB)
- » Forensics, Theatre and Debate Coaching Resources (PDF, 89.6 KB)
- » Practice Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Topics (PDF, 34.3 KB)
- » Speech Tournaments and Workshops Listing (PDF, 15.5 KB)
- » VHSL Forensics Manual (2009) (PDF, 271 KB)
- » VHSL Play for a Cure Toolkit (PDF, 1.58 MB)
- » VHSL Sportsmanship Guidelines - State Events (PDF, 86.2 KB)
- More Resources
- » VHSL Sportsmanship Guidelines - State Events (PDF, 86.2 KB)
- More Resources
Information For:
Location
1642 State Farm Blvd.
Charlottesville, VA 22911-8609
Take 29 south into Charlottesville to the 250-East Bypass toward Richmond. Drive approximately four miles on 250. After you pass the Pantops Shopping Center (Applebees, Giant, Starbucks, Liberty Gas Station), turn RIGHT onto State Farm Blvd. The VHSL building is the fourth building on the right.
Take I-64 East to Exit 124/Shadwell. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Hwy. 250. At the fourth light, turn left onto State Farm Blvd. The VHSL building is the fourth building on the right.
I-64 West to Exit 124/Shadwell. Turn right on Rt. 250. At the fourth light, turn Left on State Farm Blvd. The VHSL building is the fourth building on the right.
Take I-64 East to Exit 124/Shadwell. Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Hwy. 250. At the fourth light, turn left onto State Farm Blvd. The VHSL building is the fourth building on the right.
Contact us
- Phone: 434-977-8475
- Fax: 434-977-5943
- Email: info@vhsl.org
MVP Login
note: MVP is currently working with your IT dept to import student data. If you have not yet provided your IT contact to Joyce Sisson, please send it to jsisson@vhsl.org.
© 2008 - 2009 Virginia High School League. Powered by Clearwired