Fossil forensics team blows state qualifier out of the water

Isabella Mahal • February 20, 2017

On Saturday, February 18, Fossil Ridge High School’s Forensics and Debate team competed in the Region 1 State Qualifier at Northridge High School. Of the twelve people who competed, a whopping six qualified for the state tournament on March 17 and 18. Another two competitors became eligible to compete at state as alternates, should someone have to back out. Lauren Fessler, senior captain of the team, explained that, “getting 50% of the team to qualify is no easy task, so the team is just over the moon. It’s the biggest state showing for Fossil in my four years.”

The students were successful in a variety of speech and debate events. Ciera Dykstra and James Zheng’s event was National Extemporaneous Speaking, in which the participant is given a current topic that they must research, write, and memorize a seven minute speech on. Another two Sabercats, Fessler and Matthew Paskey, are Original Orators who crafted a ten minute informative or persuasive speech using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. The final qualifiers, Max Banks and Holly Ryan, competed in Public Forum debate, where they debated a current event against another team of two, with rounds of opening statements, rebuttals, and crossfire.

The forensics team has been busy this month, with National Congressional qualifiers having taken place on February 4. At that tournament, Dykstra, Ryan, and Fessler qualified as alternates in the House of Representatives and the Senate. For an explanation of the nuances of debate competition, click here.

Many sports and other clubs participate in tournaments throughout the season to determine their regional ranking, then work their way through a state and eventually a national bracket. However, the debate team’s state and national qualifiers are completely independent of one another. Students can perform well at a national but not a state qualifier, and represent their team at the national competition without ever attending state. Fossil’s forensics team is very hopeful for March’s competitions because of their strong showings this month, which demonstrate a team who works hard and believes in each other.

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This debate season, the tournament schedule is scattered between state and national competitions. On March 3 and 4, Fossil will be hosting the Rocky Mountain North National Qualifier. CHSAA’s state event will be held March 17 and 18. Come support your Sabercats, who’ll be representing Fossil all day. As Fessler put it, “these things start early and end late.”

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About the Contributor

Isabella Mahal, Head Copywriter

Despite all the warnings given to her, senior Isabella Mahal filled her schedule with AP classes and a single TA period. Many of these classes were only open to seniors and fascinate her, such as AP Literature and AP World History, so not having an off period doesn’t bother her. It isn’t just her school schedule that is full. Mahal fills her time with extracurricular activities like volunteering at the Humane Society, being the co-president of Fossil Ridge’s Spectrum, and being a member of the group Never Again NoCo that works to help end gun violence at schools.

If Mahal has some time to relax, she is spending it with her family and pets. Her younger brother, Sebastian, is a sophomore at Fossil, and they get McDonalds together in her free time. Her family dog, Gus, and her cat, Silverstein, help her wind down after a long day at school. Mahal loves hiking, biking, and hanging out in her hometown of Fort Collins. Although her music taste varies, she loves Counting Crows, The Front Bottoms, Duran Duran, and Modern Baseball.

Mahal never dreamt about spending all four years of high school in journalism, having joined the class to be with her best friend, Karen Manley. Due to their differing schedules, Mahal ended up alone in the class, which forced her to find her own place. She wrote academic and opinion pieces, adding movie and book reviews to her portfolio. After being the academic beat leader her sophomore and junior year, Mahal is now the head copy editor to round out her time in the class. Her dream school would be UC Berkeley, studying public or global health to one day possibly join the Peace Corps. Although Mahal isn’t pursuing journalism in the future, the class has become a window for her to find herself, and help others do the same. It's taught her about the students in the school whose voices aren’t always heard.

Mahal’s advice for incoming Journalism I students is to not be afraid to walk into an event or sport and be unsure about it, and to meet and talk with new people. People in clubs or sports that are less recognized are always appreciative of the recognition of their hard work. Even if you’re unsure about what you’re going to, you will definitely leave knowing more than before, and it’ll make you a more caring person to understand how everyone’s different experiences shape who they are. She loves the forum that journalism lends for people to understand the world around them, and she is a self-proclaimed “first amendment enthusiast”.