As a high school senior in 1969, I attended a summer workshop at the UO and got my first introduction to forensics. This was a surprise to most people since my father was the forensics coach at the time. I was hooked. I immediately became a high school debater and the following year a debater at the UO. As a novice, I won a small Oregon tournament. What a thrill!

Debate was not only my most engaging experience of high school and college, it also was my most educational. I learned how to organize my thoughts logically, how to research my ideas, how to work and communicate effectively with my teammates, how to manage my time in speaking, and how to be confident in speaking to a group. These skills carried me forward as I later became a high school English teacher and then the owner of a court-reporting firm in Portland.

My father and many other professionals over the years put their hearts and souls into the forensic program. A continuation of the program would allow many more students to learn the skills I learned at the hands of truly dedicated teachers.