Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Congratulating the James Madison Memorial High School Forensics Team as the champions of the 2017 Wisconsin Forensic Coaches Association State Tournament and celebrating the city of Madison’s strong tradition in high school forensics excellence.
Body
WHEREAS, extra and co-curricular activities at the high school level teach important team and life skills and students as individuals may find an interest in one of any number of different activities; and,
WHEREAS, public speaking is a life skill of tremendous importance which will serve students participating in forensics throughout their further education and careers; and,
WHEREAS, the 2017 WFCA State Tournament was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on March 31 and April 1; and,
WHEREAS, the tournament marks the capstone of high school competitive speech activities for Wisconsin students and this year, over 1,000 students from 74 schools across the state competed in various events; and,
WHEREAS, Memorial, West, East, and La Follette high schools each have strong forensics traditions and each of these high schools' programs advanced students to one of two state tournaments in the 2016-2017 season; and,
WHEREAS, the James Madison Memorial High School Spartan Forensics Team finished the 2016-2017 season as State Champs for the tenth consecutive year in the Wisconsin Forensic Coaches Association tournament for a total of fourteen State Championships in 17 years; and,
WHEREAS, the Spartan team is comprised of students from 9th through 12th grade who prepare for the competition throughout the school year and involves over 90 students and the team sent students to the State tournament to compete in 25 categories; and,
WHEREAS, 4 students were declared State Champions, 8 students were awarded second place, 4 students were awarded third place, 1 student was awarded fourth place, 3 students were awarded fifth place and 5 students were semi-finalists, placing the Spartans first with 329 team points; and,
WHEREAS, this year Coach Thomas Hardin was awarded the William Hintz Memorial Award for Coaching Excellence and on May 6, 2017 was inducted into the WFCA Hall of Fame for his dedication to his students, the WFCA, and the forensics community; and,
WHEREAS, Coach Hardin with the assistance of Tim Schefler, Tom Kellog, Anna Fruedenberg, Dave Sibley, Cassie Khors. Susan Jorneby, Melanie Hardin, David Hoffert and David Olson assisted the team and individual members to achieve excellence; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison community is proud of the teamwork, dedication and spirit demonstrated by the students of the Spartan Forensics Team; and,
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council wishes to recognize the strong support for the Spartan Forensics Team by principal Jay Affeldt, parents, student body, faculty, staff and all Spartan fans everywhere,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council congratulates Coach Thomas Hardin, his assistant coaches and the entire Spartan Forensics Team on their successful season and their 2017 State Championship; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council also recognizes Coach Thomas Hardin on his retirement from the Madison Metropolitan School District; where he has interacted with over 1,000+ students in his 25-year teaching career, inspiring students both inside and outside the classroom through public speaking, acting, singing and writing.