The Hugoton High School Forensics students are wrapping up a very successful season. They have had three first place finishes, two second place finishes and one third place finish as a team. They have also had countless individual medals. Forensics even had its first foreign exchange student, Alex Thougaard qualify for State. The students’ hard work has paid off and they have 23 State qualifying entries for the 2024 KSHSAA 4A State Tournament in Topeka May 4. Unfortunately, teams are only allowed to bring 16 entries. The team was coached by Head Coach Idamarie Piper and Assistant Coach Nathan Piper. Way to go Eagles!

The following students qualified in the following categories:

• Tristan Kiley (Senior): Poetry, Prose and Serious Solo Acting

• Hailey Maldonado (Senior): Humorous Solo Acting, Improvised Duet Acting, Duet Acting and Impromptu

• Mel Lundy (Senior): Humorous Solo Acting

• Chris Kiley (Senior): Extemporaneous Speaking

• Axel Cowser (Senior): Poetry • Austin Hewitt (Junior): Humorous Solo Acting, Improvised Duet Acting, Prose and Impromptu

• Mia Singer (Junior): Humorous Solo Acting and Duet Acting

• Kaden Johnson (Junior): Prose

• Tobias Grubbs (Junior): Prose and Impromptu

• Alex Thougaard (Junior): Prose • Kayla Milhon (Junior): Poetry

• Lupe Hernandez (Sophomore): Serious Solo Acting, Impromptu and Duet Acting

• Tanya Juardo (Freshman): Duet Acting

• Jenna Schmidt also qualified for the State Festival in Poetry.