Junior Meredith Shaheed has been practicing for the last week, standing on a stage she prepares to perform her event for the Forensics Team.

Forensics is a series of talking events including speeches, poems, acting and other series of performances. Students practice all week either in a class or during work nights and then on Friday or Saturday they go to a competition at a different school.

“At tournaments we have three preliminary rounds usually on Saturdays and then a finals round for the top six or seven in each event,” junior Paige Lawrence said. “The rounds are usually an hour and a half long On Fridays with Congress there is usually two sessions and with Lincoln Douglas there are usually four 45 minutes rounds.”

The squad, made up of 80 students,has scored top three among schools such as Olathe Northwest, Shawnee MIssion South, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Lawrence HIgh.

“It really shows how talented our students are and how dedicated our coaches are to make sure that kids have what they need to be successful,” Forensics coach Jason Moore said.

But Forensics is not about the plaques and medals, students also learn valuable skills such as speaking and confidence. Shaheed was able to gain those skills while on the team.

“(I) just feel like I’m a way better public speaker now I know how to pace myself when I’m talking to people,” she said. “Just being able stand in front of strangers and perform… (is) just really good for your confidence.”

The Nationals competition is in Salt Lake city this summer and until then the team will be preparing and practicing to make sure they are ready to take center stage.