While other children and teens were out trick or treating Halloween night, the Graves County High School Forensics Team was busy starting its season at the Ghost and Ghouls Swing Tournament at Bardstown High School on October 30-31, bringing home a fourth place sweepstakes trophy and several individual awards. Senior Aaron West won first place in Extemporaneous Speaking, and seniors Matthew R. and Robert S. won first place in Duo Interpretation.

For the second year in a row, the Forensic Team was hosting half of the double tournament with Bardstown High School. “We’ve made some really good friends up there on Bardstown’s team,” coach Todd Ross said. “They run a good program and have some great students.” The tournament has a Halloween theme and students working at the tournament dress up in costumes.

GCHS took only seven students to the tournament, so coming home with fourth place was quite an accomplishment, Ross said, considering the team was up against schools that brought 30-40 students. “It was the first tournament of the year, and many students either weren’t quite ready to perform or had scheduling conflicts with work or church. I was very surprised and pleased with fourth because I told the kids the night before not to expect to place at all because of the numbers we were up against.”

In addition to the first place winners, Matthew R. placed third in Broadcast Announcing; Robert S. placed third in Original Oratory and fourth in Impromptu Speaking; junior John R placed fifth in Broadcast Announcing; and sophomore Clark T. placed fifth in Impromptu Speaking and sixth in Extemporaneous Speaking. All students who placed also qualified for the state tournament in March. Also competing and doing well were seniors Jacob H. and Nicollette S.

The team’s next tournament is at Henry County High School on November 7, followed by the Western Kentucky University Alumni Swing tournament on November 14.

Photo: GCHS Forensics Team members (from left) Jacob H., Nicollette S., Aaron W, Robert S, John R, Matthew R and Clark T placed fourth at the Ghosts and Ghouls Swing Tournament at Bardstown High School on October 31.