Pacific Index

Issue date: 1/21/10 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Guthrie Straw The UC was flooded with students from various high schools as they prepared for the next day's speaking evens.

Media Credit: Katie Sipos Excited high school students filled McCready Hall past capacity as they awaited the tournament results.

After a successful first semester including taking first place among Division II schools at the Mahaffey Invitational, Pacific Forensics hosted the annual Hap Hingston High School Invitational Tournament Jan. 8 and 9.

The University Center housed an estimated 700 competitors, coaches, judges and event staff while the tournament took place. 36 high schools from around the region were represented across more than 770 individual events in categories from Radio and Impromptu to Public Debate and Cross-Examine Debate.

Hap Hingston became a Pacific faculty member in 1942 and remained for over 30 years. According to Director of Forensics Daniel Broyles, "The tournament dates back to [Hingston's] early years on campus and has been hosted off and on for the past 60 to 70 years."

The planning and manpower needed to run the invitational was immense. Assistant Director of Forensics Mark Truax said, "Beyond coordinating the logistics of the competitors in attendance from numerous schools, there is all of the coordination that takes place with the campus community, acquiring awards and gifts for tournament staff."

However, in hosting the event, Pacific receives publicity and the chance to recruit students. The admissions office staff had a booth set up on Friday and also contacted individuals thought to be a good fit for the university.

Said Broyles, "The benefits that Pacific receives predominantly come in the form of exposure to intelligent and talented high school students. But we also enjoy providing an opportunity for students to do something they love."

Tigard High School sophomore James Saddler has been involved in speech and debate since sixth grade prompted by encouragement from his grandfather. Saddler claims that being at Pacific amidst a vast diversity "equated a good sense of competition."

Butte Falls High School Head Debate Coach Jan Pizzo claims the Hap Hingston Invitational is her favorite tournament because Pacific is "welcoming" and "the kids love it."

Butte Falls High is rural and Pizzo was thrilled her students got the opportunity to "see Portland, other schools and the bigger world."

Neah-Kah-Nie High School freshman Cheyenne Gliewe admitted competing on a university campus was fun and gave a "feel of what college is going to be like."

Late Saturday night, awards ranging from novelty items to full-blown trophies were distributed. During the ceremony, Truax remarked that he had "never seen so many people" in McCready Hall: a successful tournament.

Without even a month's rest, Pacific Forensics will host their college tournament, the Fred Scheller Invitational on Jan. 29-31, the last of three designated tournaments for the Northwest Forensics Conference.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools