Seniors Matt Ramaley and Joaquin Dorado placed first in the state championship for Duet Acting in forensics on April 30. The duo talks about their forensics experience.

1. How long have you participated in forensics?

Ramaley: Four years.

Dorado: Two years.

2.  What other tournaments have you placed in?

Ramaley: All of them. I know that sounds bad and egotistic but there’s only ever been one tournament where we did place well.

3. What other categories have you participated in?

Ramaley: Improv 2, Prose, Poetry, Student Congress.

Dorado: Humorous Interpretation, Poetry, Duo, Original Oration, and Student Congress.

4. Describe how you felt when you placed.

Dorado: Well I wasn’t there because I was at showtime but Jarod Cote recorded it and told me. I was very loud when I found out, to the point where Mr. Fry came to ask if I was okay.

Ramaley: I mean I was shocked, ecstatic really. We weren’t expecting to win first.

5. How do you prepare for tournaments?

Dorado: We go over our lines together, with and without the movements to make sure we have them down.

6. Was there anything different about this experience considering it was your last at LHS?

Ramaley: Well yes, we weren’t expecting to win State really, we were just kind of there to have fun.

7.  Do you plan on continuing forensics?

Dorado: Definitely.    

Ramaley: Potentially.

8. What was your best memory from Debate and Forensics?

Ramaley: One day we were really bored and so we created a game sorta like “Table soccer.” No one quite knew the rules but everyone did at the same time.

Dorado: Well there was this one meet where Stefan was sick to his stomach while we were on the bus, with no open windows…

9. What advice do you have for younger participants?

Ramaley: Compete in events that you’re passionate about and make sure you’re with people you can have fun with.

Dorado: Make sure to always have fun.