 For the first time since 1985, a Wisconsin student claimed a national title at the National Forensic League's (NFL) National Speech and Debate Tournament in Philadelphia, PA. Eva Lam, a junior at Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School, was the Champion Representative in the House chamber of Student Congress.
She earned a $6,000 scholarship for her achievement, and was also elected the final session presiding officer, receiving a three-foot presentation gavel, and becoming the first female student to earn that honor at the national tournament.
Eva's teammate, senior Samuel Daly, placed sixth in the Senate Chamber, and was the school's first-ever four-year qualifier, earning a special scholarship for that accomplishment. Senior Kyle Szarzynski advanced to semi-finals in the House chamber. Altogether, the entire Rufus King squad qualified for the Schwan's School of Excellence Award in Debate for their achievements in the Student Congress event, which simulates the legislative process through student-written bills and resolutions, parliamentary procedure and floor debate. The forensics program at Rufus King has been directed since 1997 by alum Adam Jacobi, an NFL Diamond Key coach, whose Student Congress squad achieved a triple state championship in 2005, and an unprecedented six-place sweep at the Wisconsin Forensic Coaches' Association State Tournament. Jacobi, a senior faculty member with the Florida Forensic Institute, is president-elect of the Wisconsin Debate Coaches' Association, serves on the Student Congress Advisory Committee for the National Debate Tournament of Champions and was a consulting educator for the NFL/U.S. State Department's International Debate Exchange Program in 2004. Prior to completing his teaching degree and becoming a full-time teacher at Rufus King, Jacobi was legislative assistant to Milwaukee Ald. Michael D'Amato. The National Forensic League was founded in Ripon, WI, in 1925 by Bruno E. Jacob and serves as both an honorary society, and as a competition league for speech and debate activities. NFL trains students for leadership by encouraging participation and proficiency in speech education. Prominent NFL alumni include President Lyndon Johnson, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, news anchor Jane Pauley, Justice Stephen Breyer, and countless other political, business, education, legal and public service figures. The NFL national tournament and circle of champion scholarships are sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group.
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