Pictured are Elk Lake’s NCFL National Qualifiers: Keith Brosious – EL Forensics Director; Austin Cohen – 1st Place in LD Debate; Haley Skinner – 4th Place in LD Debate; Matthew Horvath – 2nd Place in LD Debate; Dr. Kurt Liebegott – EL Assistant Forensics Director.

In a year when every tournament has been more impressive than the previous one for the Elk Lake Forensics Team, the EL debaters, once again, did not disappoint.

At the Scranton Catholic Forensics League National Qualifying Tournament at Dallas HS on March 2, Elk Lake, for the first time in team history, qualified 3 Lincoln-Douglas Debaters to the National Catholic Forensics League Grand National Tournament in Philadelphia over Memorial Day Weekend.

The team was led, once again, by senior Austin Cohen who compiled a undefeated record by defeating debaters from Meyers, Abington Heights, and Danville HS. As a result of his undefeated record, he received an automatic bid to Nationals.

Senior Matthew Horvath, in only his second year of debate, compiled a 3 win and 1 loss preliminary record by defeating debaters from Abington Heights, Danville, and Shikellamy HS. Due to his record, he needed to debate in an elimination round debate.

Horvath won a split decision in that elimination debate over Ben Oon from Abington Heights HS and earned a spot at Nationals.

The surprise of the day came from sophomore Haley Skinner, a first year debater, who also earned a spot in the elimination rounds by compiling a 2 win and 2 loss record during the preliminary rounds.

In her elimination round, Skinner faced off against junior Meaghan McDonald from Danville and won a split decision and a trip to Nationals.

During the course of the tournament, Austin Cohen won his 300th career debate and continued his unbeaten streak this season. He has not lost a tournament that he has competed in all season.

“This was a great performance by a very talented team. They all worked very hard over the past week to prepare for this and it paid off. They have done what no other Elk Lake team has ever done – take three out of four slots to NCFL Nationals,” commented EL Forensics Director Keith Brosious.

The team ended its qualifying season when it traveled to the National Forensics League’s Valley Forge District National Qualifier on March 7-8 at LaSalle College HS in suburban Philadelphia.

On February 5th 2013, The Mountain View Strategies for Life class was presented with an Educational Alliance grant from Exxon Mobil. Mr. Raymond Bolcavage, who serves as a Community Affairs Officer for the company presented the grant to the students. The company has proved themselves to have a long history of supporting educational programs, such as those that are implemented in the Mountain View School District. The company believes it is “important to encourage the next generation to pursue studies and careers in fields involving math and science”.

Pictured (l-r) are: Mr. Raymond Bolcavage, Miss Jaimie Himka, Mrs. Karen Voigt, Brandon Gabriel, Deanna Hansen, Mrs. Karen Bolcavage, Samantha O'Dell, Mr. Michael Slesinski, Joseph Soto, Kristy Kozlowski, Mr. Robert Presley, April Woody, and Mrs. Francine Shea. Holding the check are Samantha Valentine and Krystalynn Donelson.

The class plans on using the funds to assist in their garden project that will start in the upcoming Spring Season. They are also in the process of planning a few educational field trips that will provide opportunities for the students to gain a better understanding of how math and science are incorporated into a variety of careers within our local area.