Pleasantville Forensics Team Finds its Voice
Some of the best public speakers in Pleasantville may be Pleasantville High School students.
The school’s forensics team has won acclaim and sent members to state and national championship competitions. It features students proposing bills in a student congress, public speaking and original oratory.
“I always felt that giving speeches to people is one of my favorite things,” said Barrett Rosenbaum, who competes in original oratory and wrote and memorized a speech about whether college athletes should be paid. “It’s a passion of mine.”
Senior Tom Gilroy is the captain of the student congress. Each session students submit a bill where the pros and cons of the mock legislation are debated. Gilroy, who will be attending college in France next year, said he has always been interested in politics and international relations.
“I like the competitive aspect and you get to meet kids from all over Westchester and New York,” said Gilroy, who is currently working on a bill that proposes reforms to the United States’ policy in Afghanistan. “I really like becoming a good public speaker.”
Social studies teacher and club faculty adviser Virginia Mancini said the team’s members learn critical skills that will be beneficial to them throughout their lives. Speaking in front of sizeable audiences while being evaluated by a panel of judges, or in front of a single judge depending on the competition, can be an intimidating experience but is an excellent training ground, she said.
The Congress students develop the ability to think on their feet and to form arguments while those competing in original oratory perfect their writing skills and learn that audience appeal is crucial.
“All of these skills are acquired over multiple hours and days of practice, so forensics teaches students to persevere,” Mancini said.
Not to be overlooked, students also learn the importance of appropriate business dress. Boys are required to wear shirts, ties and suits while the girls generally wear suits as well during competitions. All in all, forensics prepare students for college and life beyond school into young adulthood.
Lucy Becker, a junior, involved in the public speaking competitions, writes and memorizes her own speeches and delivers them to the judges.
“You have to become the character in your speech,” Becker said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The 13-member team usually meet about twice a week at the school and typically has monthly competitions against other schools. Members are also sometimes required to attend meetings at school on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. while wearing formal attire.
Several of the students have placed on the state level, while Gilroy has competed nationally, traveling to Texas and Missouri. This June he will head to Indianapolis.
“It’s really cool,” Gilroy said. “It’s a whole different level of competition. It’s really awesome, you meet kids from all over the country.”
Mancini said she enjoys her role as the faculty adviser by supporting the students as they find their voice.
“It makes me really proud to see them get up there and speak,” Mancini said.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
