Forensic Team Takes Top Spots in Varsity, Junior Varsity Comps

On Monday, March 17, nine students from Grover Cleveland Middle School, Caldwell, headed up the road to Caldwell College, Caldwell, to participate in the Essex County Oratorical Declamation Tournament sponsored by the Essex County Steering Committee for Gifted and Talented Education, returning with trophies for the top four spots in the varsity competition, and top two in the junior varsity competition.

Oratorical Declamation students select and memorize a speech that has been delivered before a live audience and prepare it for presentation at a local tournament. Special attention is given to effective communication of the author’s mood and meaning; use of vocal variety and pace to define character; appropriate use of facial expressions; appropriate and timely gestures. Total effect of the speech should be predominantly established through appropriate vocal and facial expression as well as eye contact. 

Representing GCMS were varsity competitors seventh graders Julia Tuck, Charlee Alberta, Jessica Rizzo, Natasha LaChac, and DeeAnna Meluso; and junior varsity competitors sixth graders Connor Padover, Sam Mulick, Chloe Cordasco and Stephanie Eckhardt.

The Caldwell middle school swept the competition, earning the top four varsity spots and top two junior varsity spots. Tuck earned first place in the varsity competition, with Alberta taking second, Rizzo taking third, and LaChac and Meluso tying for fourth.  At the junior varsity level, Padover took first and Mulick took second place. 

For more information on Grover Cleveland Middle School, visit www.cwcboe.org/gcms.