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Middle school forensics. There are no scholarship opportunities, no prestigious state tournament qualifications. So, what is it exactly, that drives a middle school student to compete in drama and debate? Well, there are a few simple factors that cause junior high forensic competitors to do their best.

The first factor is being part of a team. As the competition season goes by, a team's members will find themselves becoming more and more like a large family. By the end of the year, a competitor may find that the other members of their team are just about as close to them as their actual relatives. Someone who has never competed simply cannot imagine the feeling holding up a tournament sweepstakes trophy and saying, "We won this -- the team won!"

The second reason to compete in middle school forensics is the sense of individual determination and accomplishment. Medaling in an event is merely icing on the proverbial cake; true success happens when you know you've done your best, and have done all that you can to beat out your competition. There is nothing in the world that can take that feeling of accomplishment away from you.

The third and most important aspect is the mere essence of competing. Cheesy and cliched as it may seem, it is very true. Nothing can ever top the thrill of stepping into a debate round, or standing up to perform a drama piece. As a middle school competitor, I can say with quite a bit of experience that once you attend a drama and debate tournament, you'll never be the same!

In conclusion, although middle school forensics provides no scholarship opportunities or state team championships to put on your latest resume, it has just as much of an effect on a person's life.

(Amanda Ack is a 7th grade student at Ardmore Middle School in Oklahoma. Her coach is Mr. Anson Shuman.)