Students Prepare for First Ranney Junior Forensics Festival

Lower and Middle School Forensics Team members were busily practicing their performances during Thursday “dress rehearsals” staged before fellow students, and excitedly preparing for the first-ever Ranney-hosted Junior Forensics Festival, scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 7 in RSPA Panther Hall.

According to Assistant Middle School Principal, Dean and Forensics Coach, Nancy Wade, Forensics competition is designed to encourage a love of public speaking in younger students. “This festival is the first of its kind in the Monmouth/Ocean County area. And since forensics programs in most schools do not begin until 7th grade, Ranney’s effort to involve 5th and 6th graders is noteworthy,” explains Mrs. Wade. Two other area schools will also be competing: St. Jerome School, West Long Branch and St. Veronica School, Howell.

To prepare for the event, 5th grade novice forensics students, coached by Lower School teachers Jeanette Cordero and Nancy Rosenthal, performed in a workshop where veteran forensics team members offered constructive criticism to help the junior team members refine their performances. The 6th grade forensics students, coached by Mrs. Wade, also performed for the entire 5th and 6th grade. “Both Lower and Middle School divisions are extremely excited about this new initiative in the forensics and performing arts,” adds Mrs. Wade.

The Ranney Junior Forensic Festival will begin at 8:00 a.m. Please feel free to join us and experience first hand one of Ranney’s most popular and successful activities for students who love the spoken word.

For additional information on all Ranney School news, please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.