Student Participation In Forensic Club Almost Doubles At William Annin

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Interest and participation in the Forensic Club at William Annin Middle School(WAMS) has almost doubled in size prompting a fourth advisor to be hired.

The club which was started about 7 years ago by teachers Vivekanand Balija and Jessica Lynch has been getting bigger with each year it is in service.

"I've been debating since I was 8 years old," said Balija. "It was very popular everywhere so I was shocked we didn't have one here. There was one at the high school, but not one in middle school."

Board of Education Vice President Timothy Salmon said the Forensic Club at WAMS was initially capped at 60 students with only 2 staff members serving as advisors.

However, for the 2022-23 school year the number of students interested ballooned to 91 joining and another 12 who wanted to join.

"Given the substantial increase in students joining adding another advisor is necessary," said Salmon at the Oct. 17 Board meeting.

The advisors are funded by club fees.

Balija said the interest in the club really picked up during COVID when their meetings went virtual.

"The leagues had stopped all tournaments and meetings but we actually kept ours going," said Balija during COVID. "We had kids when they were on Zoom who were much more willing to speak versus in person."

Even when the team switched back to in-person meetings, Balija said he began to host hybrid meetings to allow students to record themselves versus speaking directly in person.

"It has become so popular that we have almost doubled the enrollment," said Balija. "it has been great! The emails from parents saying their child is painfully shy but is now talking in their room during the meetings."

The interest has grown so much that the club is now open to all grades - 6th, 7th, and 8th. And meetings are now held in the cafeteria because no other room was big enough.

Overall, the club teaches students "how to take thoughts and craft them into arguments. Teach them how to use logic when coming up with arguments and being persuasive. How to really make your point in a solid way," said Balija.

He said it is a very methodical way of teaching in which students are taught to have evidence behind their arguments.

"They have to be able to back up everything they say with some kind of fact or stance they are talking about," said Balija.

Students are also taught about etiquette and how to approach an argument. Balija the club really helps students in many aspects of their lives.

"It teaches about public speaking... To pick up on non-verbal techniques. How to use pauses and raise voice and inflection.," said Balija.

The club recently had a tournament in Saddle River on Monday and Balija believes the club will continue to grow from here.

For students interested in the club, email Balija at VBalija@bernardsboe.com.

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