The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

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December 7, 2012

Shikellamy High School Forensics Team competes

The Daily Item

SUNBURY — Ten members of the Shikellamy High School Forensics Team traveled to George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. recently to compete in the largest invitational national tournament on the high school forensics circuit. One hundred and four schools were represented from across the nation, including teams from California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and Colorado. More than 1,900 students competed in the two-day event which utilized every building on the George Mason campus.

The Shikellamy “10” captured eight awards and finished 22nd overall, outdistancing teams that were three times their size.

Leading the charge was senior Tyler Stettler who entered three very challenging events and placed in each one. He was a finalist in Dramatic Interpretation, capturing the fourth place trophy, a semi-finalist in Humorous Interpretation, and a quarterfinalist in Poetry Reading.

Senior Kellen Kane also entered three events and won awards in two of them. He and his partner, senior Alyssa Zuback finished as eighth in Duo Interpretation. Kane also placed eighth in Original Oratory, and competed in Prose Reading.

Other Shikellamy award winners were senior Alex Wetzel who received quarter-finalist honors for Humorous Interpretation, and sophomore Annie Herbster who also earned a quarter-finalist trophy in Declamation.

Rounding out the dynamic Shikellamy squad were juniors Shelby Snyder who competed in both Prose and Poetry Reading, and Daniella Snyder in Original Oratory, Prose, and Poetry; sophomores Adam Leister in Dramatic Interpretation and Aaron Schaffer-Neitz and Garrett Ruths in Public Forum Debate.

“This competition was every bit as intense as any national championship”, said director of forensics, Ellen Boyer, who accompanied the team to Virginia. “We are thrilled with these students who have worked so hard, and now are realizing such great rewards.”One hundred and four schools were represented from across the nation, including teams from California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and Colorado. More than 1,900 students competed in the two-day event which utilized every building on the George Mason campus.

The Shikellamy “10” captured eight awards and finished 22nd overall, outdistancing teams that were three times their size.

Leading the charge was senior Tyler Stettler who entered three very challenging events and placed in each one. He was a finalist in Dramatic Interpretation, capturing the fourth place trophy, a semi-finalist in Humorous Interpretation, and a quarterfinalist in Poetry Reading.

Senior Kellen Kane also entered three events and won awards in two of them. He and his partner, senior Alyssa Zuback finished as eighth in Duo Interpretation. Kane also placed eighth in Original Oratory, and competed in Prose Reading.

Other Shikellamy award winners were senior Alex Wetzel who received quarter-finalist honors for Humorous Interpretation, and sophomore Annie Herbster who also earned a quarter-finalist trophy in Declamation.

Rounding out the dynamic Shikellamy squad were juniors Shelby Snyder who competed in both Prose and Poetry Reading, and Daniella Snyder in Original Oratory, Prose, and Poetry; sophomores Adam Leister in Dramatic Interpretation and Aaron Schaffer-Neitz and Garrett Ruths in Public Forum Debate.

“This competition was every bit as intense as any national championship”, said director of forensics, Ellen Boyer, who accompanied the team to Virginia. “We are thrilled with these students who have worked so hard, and now are realizing such great rewards.”

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