Recognizing that solid public-speaking skills are an invaluable asset to students and adults alike, Notre Dame Marist Academy's middle division is beginning the 2014-15 school year by including membership in the National Junior Forensic League. School officials say it it is a win-win for students.
According to Notre Dame's debate coach, LeAnne Schmidt, as members of the NJFL, every time students give speeches and presentations for classroom work, extra credits will be recorded for them.
"Students who participate in drama/musical or speech/debate as extracurricular activities can earn additional points for their work," Schmidt said. "Liturgy readership also will be tallied. By notifying the office and providing proper documentation, other speaking and leadership roles in which students participate outside of the school community will be recognized as well." She said that these roles could include community theater, scripture reading at church, speaking for local groups like Rotary and the Boy Scouts as well as attending summer workshops and camps.
"By recording and honoring the commitment that students make to public speaking and leadership, we are confident that Notre Dame Marist Academy students will graduate from eighth grade with significant levels of recognition from the National Junior Forensic League — certainly a feather in their caps, but also a résumé builder early in the process for college applications," Schmidt added.
Students who choose to continue this pursuit in high school can easily transfer a portion of their points to National Forensic League membership beginning in ninth grade, either by participating in Notre Dame's theater programs or by joining the active and nationally-competitive speech and debate team or even working independently on other pursuits that also earn points outside of school.
Schmidt said that the National Forensic League offers its own scholarships, plus connections with colleges and universities nationwide that recognize the value of public speaking and leadership. "We are confident that our families will appreciate the additional distinction this status will provide their children in the very competitive academic environment ahead."
Link to NJFL: http://www.speechanddebate.org/aspx/content.aspx?id=326
Link to articles: http://www.speechanddebate.org/aspx/nav.aspx?navid=201&pnavid=37
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About the National Speech & Debate Association
The National Speech & Debate Association is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school, high school, and collegiate students in the United States. The Association provides competitive speech and debate activities, high-quality resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 130,000 students and coaches every year. For nearly 90 years, the National Speech & Debate Association has empowered more than 1.4 million members to become engaged citizens, skilled professionals, and honorable leaders in our society. For more information, visit www.speechanddebate.org.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.