The Pennsylvania High School Speech League is a high school

forensics Forensic science combines principles of law and science to investigate criminal activity. Through crime scene investigations and laboratory analysis, forensic scientists are able to link suspects to evidence. An example is determining the time and ...

league. The PHSSL state championship takes place yearly in March at

Bloomsburg University Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg (CU-Bloomsburg, or Bloomsburg) is a campus of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The ...

. Each qualifying event contains 2 qualifiers from each district throughout Pennsylvania, and the non-qualifying events have one student from each participating school.

History of PHSSL

PHSSL was founded in 1961, by Dr. Robert E. Dunham, to promote speaking throughout the entire state of

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

at Penn State University. The actual championship took place at

Susquehanna University Susquehanna University is a private liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States. Its name is derived from the original Susquehannock settlers of the region. Founded in 1858 as a missionary institute, it became a four-year li ...

from 1992 through 2016. The PA High School Speech League moved to

in June, 2016. The championship has always been considered the "state championship" in Pennsylvania by allowing all schools to compete regardless of state affiliation.

Publications

The Pennsylvania High School Speech League publishes its own newsletter which is titled "The Communicator". PHSSL uses "The Communicator" to put forth information regarding leadership in the organization, plans, and records of student performance in the state championship.

Leaders

The Pennsylvania High School Speech League chooses the officers in the organization based on their merit and dedication to promoting forensics. The election of officers is a democratic process. As of June 2023, the current leaders include: *Executive Director **Sharon Volpe -

North Allegheny Senior High School North Allegheny Senior High School (NASH) is a suburban high school in the North Allegheny School District and is located in Wexford, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The current building was built in 1974. In 2013, ...

*Site Director **Dr. Harry C. "Neil" Strine IV -

*Secretary **Jodi Fetterolf -

*Board Members **Dr. Leslie Rogne Schumacher -

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

**Bob Hall - Fairview High School **Lisa Bompiani-Smith - Greater Latrobe High School **David R. Long -

Southern Lehigh High School Southern Lehigh High School is a four-year public high school located in Center Valley, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. It is the only high school in the Southern Lehigh School District. As of the 2023-24 school ...

**Jess Cerchiaro - Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School **Ellen Boyer -

Shikellamy High School Shikellamy High School is a public high school located in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, United States. The school was named after Oneida Chief Shikellamy. The building was built in 1929. In 1965, a merger between Northumberland High School and Sunbury H ...

**Holly Smith - Penn Cambria High School **Hugh P. Ringer - Mercer Area High School **Aditya Dhere -

Pine-Richland High School Pine-Richland High School is a large public high school located at 700 Warrendale Road, in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the only high school in the Pine-Richland School District and is located in Pine Township. In the 2018– ...

**Beth Young -

North Catholic High School North Catholic High School is a private Catholic Church, Catholic high school located in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. The school's mascot is the Troy, Trojan, and its colors are scarlet and gold. History North Catholic High S ...

**Ben Edwards - Upper St. Clair High School **Tiffany Dacheux -

Dallastown Area High School Dallastown Area High School is a large suburban, American High school (North America), High School, part of the Dallastown Area School District. The school is located at 700 New School Lane, Dallastown, Pennsylvania in York County, Pennsylvania. D ...

**Chris Berdnik -

Pennsbury High School Pennsbury High School is a four-year public high school located in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Pennsbury School District. With 2,907 students enrolled for the 2021–2022 school year, Pennsbury High School is the ...

*District Chairs **District 1 - Hugh P. Ringer Mercer Area High School & Bob Hall Fairview High School **District 2 - Beth Young

**District 3 - Ben Edwards Upper St. Clair High School **District 4 - Lisa Bompiani-Smith Greater Latrobe High School **District 5 - Cassie Thomas Windber Area High School **District 6 - Paige Stonge West Shore Christian Academy **District 7 - Tiffany Dacheux

**District 8 - Jessica Niemiec

Holy Redeemer High School Holy Redeemer High School is a high school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton. It is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States. It is currently the only Catholic high school in Luzerne County. History In January 2007, Bishop ...

& David Long

**District 9 - Ellen Boyer

**District 10 - Bonnie Perry

Harriton High School Harriton Senior High School , also known simply as Harriton High School, is a Public school (government funded), public secondary school in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, serving portions of Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. The school is located on ...

**District 11 - Cory Shay Gwynedd Mercy Academy **District 12 - Chris Berdnik

**District 14 - Holly Smith Penn Cambria High School **District 15 - Ashley Murphy Unionville High School **District 16 - Paul Beer Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School

Hall of Fame

PHSSL has created a hall of fame for great participants, coaches, and supporters of

. The Pennsylvania High School Speech League's hall of fame came into existence in 1986, and has inducted at least one member ever since.

Elected Members of PHSSL Hall of Fame

* 2019 RITA YUNKER, Bishop Canevin High School * 2018 CORY CLARK SHAY, Gwynedd Mercy Academy * 2017 CAROL LESHOCK, Greensburg-Saleme High School * 2017 KALE FITHIAN, McDowell High School * 2015 KATHY HEWSTON, Hempfield Area Senior High School, Greensburg * 2014 KATHRYN GINGERICH, Red Land High School, Lewisberry * 2014 STEPHEN MEDOFF, Pennsbury High School, Fairless Fields * 2013 CHRISTINE METCALFE, Mechanicsburg High School, Mechanicsburg * 2013 JOHN V. ROCHE, Nazareth Academy High School, Philadelphia * 2012 TIM WAXENFELTER, Quigley Catholic High School, Baden * 2011 KEITH BROSIOUS, Elk Lake High School, Dimock * 2010 DAVID LONG, Southern Lehigh High School, Center Valley * 2010 SANDRA W. SAXMAN, Secretary, Pennsylvania HS Speech League, Selinsgrove * 2010 LARRY D. AUGUSTINE, Director, Pennsylvania HS Speech League, Selinsgrove * 2009 SHARON VOLPE, North Allegheny High School, Wexford * 2010 ROBERTA RINGER, Mercer Area High School, Mercer * 2007 VICKY TRIMMER, Mechanicsburg Area High School, Mechanicsburg * 2007 MARSHA K. WILLIAMS, Greensburg-Salem High School, Greensburg * 2006 ELLEN BOYER, Shikellamy High School, Sunbury * 2005 MARY FURLONG, Delone Catholic, McSherrystown (RETIRED) * 2004 ROBERT CASEY, Trinity High School, Camp Hill * 2003 CARL W. ASKEW, Shikellamy High School, Sunbury * 2002 REV. RAYMOND HAHN, Cathedral Preparatory, Erie * 2002 KATHLEEN O'HALLORAN, Norwin High School, North Huntingdon * 2001 MARIA CARUSI, Gwynedd Mercy Academy (Posthumously) * 2001 ALICE URSIN, Bethel Park High School, Bethel Park * 2000 SALLY FINLEY, Belle Vernon High School, Belle Vernon * 2000 JAMES WILLIG, (Posthumously), Lancaster Catholic, Lancaster * 1999 NO AWARD GIVEN * 1998 WILLIAM MURRAY, Mechanicsburg High School, Mechanicsburg * 1998 ANTHONY STOKES,

The Kiski School The Kiski School (formerly the Kiskiminetas Springs School and often known simply as Kiski or Kiski Prep) is an independent, college-preparatory boarding school in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The school, named after the nearby Kis ...

, Saltsburg * 1997 ROYCE RICE, North Hills High School, Pittsburgh * 1997 HUGH RINGER, Mercer Area High School, Mercer * 1996 JOHN BUETTLER, Holy Ghost Preparatory, Bensalem * 1996 JANET DICENZO, Kennedy-Kennrick Catholic, Plymouth Meeting * 1996 ANTHONY FIGLIOLA, Holy Ghost Preparatory, Bensalem * 1995 W. MICHAEL NAILOR, Danville High School * 1995 MARY ANN YOSKEY-BERTY, Trinity High School * 1995 BETH YOUNG, North Catholic High School * 1994 RALPH KARN, Keystone Oaks High School, Pittsburgh * 1994 JANET ROBB, McKeesport Area High School, McKeesport * 1993 MARGARET EMELSON, Uniontown High School, Uniontown * 1992 GLENN CAVANAUGH, Derry Area High School, Derry * 1992 CARL GRECCO, Truman High School, Levittown * 1992 GLORIA WASILEWSKI, Riverside High School, Ellwood City * 1991 THOMAS FARR, Shikellamy/Danville High School(s) * 1990 MARILYN ENGLEHART, Central Cambria High School * 1990 FATHER TOM MEULEMANS, Archmere Academy * 1989 EDWIN KELLY, Pennsbury High School * 1989 CALLISTUS W. MILAN, Retired * 1988 HOWARD FEDRICK, Retired * 1988 PEGGY ANN MADDEN, North Hills High School * 1987 THELMA CARUSO, Charleroi High School * 1987 ELEANOR LANGAN, Scranton Central High School * 1986 ROBERT E. DUNHAM, Vice President of Academic Services, PSU * 1986 JEANNE M. LUTZ, Director, Pennsylvania High School Speech League * 1986 BERYL MCCLAIN, Retired * 1986 SISTER ST. IRMINUS, Retired * 1986 BROTHER RENE STERNER, Principal, Calvert Hall College

P.H.S.S.L. Events

PHSSL features many events, most of which are qualified for at district tournaments, but which can also be qualified for using the bid system. A list of events from the PHSSL Website:

Drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

: Competition in drama is held at the regional and state levels. A school performs a one-act play or cutting of a longer work with more than two characters. Two schools advance from each region to the state finals. Competitions are held during the first semester.

Policy Debate Policy debate is an American form of debate competition in which teams of two usually advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government. It is also referred to as cross-examinat ...

: A clash of two, two-person teams, one affirmative and one negative, on the annual national policy resolution. The affirmative presents a case for change in the present system. The negative supports the present system or a counter-proposal for change. Public Forum Debate: A clash of two 2-person teams, one pro and one con on a contemporary resolution. National topics change every month. Lincoln-Douglas Debate: A clash of two debaters, one affirmative and one negative, on a values topic.

Parliamentary Debate Parliamentary style debate, colloquially oftentimes just Parliamentary debate, is a formal framework for debate used in debating societies, academic debate events and competitive debate. It has its roots in parliamentary procedure and develops d ...

: A clash of two 3-person teams, one for the resolution and one against the resolution. Rounds can be either on a prepared topic or an impromptu topic chosen 30 minutes before the start of the round. Topics are chosen by the Executive Board for the District and State Tournaments. Oral Interpretation of Poetry: A contestant interprets with script in hand one or more poems. Time limit: 10 minutes. Oral Interpretation of Prose: A contestant interprets with script in hand a cutting from a short story or novel. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Dramatic Interpretation Dramatic Interpretation (often shortened to "Dramatic Interp," "Drama" or just "DI") is an event in National Speech and Debate Association (and NSDA-related) high school forensics competitions. In the National Christian Forensics and Communicatio ...

: A contestant chooses a cutting from a serious play and memorizes it. The student recreates the scene using appropriate gestures and voices. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Humorous Interpretation Humorous Interpretation (often shortened to "HI", or "Humor") is an event in competitive middle and high school forensics leagues such as the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association and the National Speech and Debate Associat ...

: A contestant chooses a cutting from a humorous play and memorizes it. The student recreates the scene using appropriate gestures and voices. Time limit: 10 minutes. Informative Speaking: Original speeches teach or explain a concept or idea. Time limit: 7 minutes.

Extemporaneous Speaking Extemporaneous speaking (extemp, or EXT) is a speech delivery style/speaking style, and a style used in specific forensic competitions. The competitive speech event is based on research and original analysis, done with a limited-preparation; in t ...

: A contestant is provided three current events topic on politics, economics, or culture to choose from and selects one. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Time limit: 7 minutes. Persuasive Speaking: Original speeches convince the audience. Time limit: 10 minutes.

Extemporaneous Commentary Extemporaneous commentary (or extemp com for short) is a branch of normal extemporaneous speaking Extemporaneous speaking (extemp, or EXT) is a speech delivery style/speaking style, and a style used in specific forensic competitions. The competit ...

: A continuation of both extemporaneous and persuasive speaking. It can be both informative and advocative. Knowledge of events and some history is required. Contestants seated at a table or desk for the presentation. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Time limit: 7 minutes. Duo Interpretation of Literature: “Literature” is defined as a single stage, screen, television, radio play, fictional or non-fictional work or poem. All selections must be published or commercially available in print, audio, or video form. Time limit: 10 minutes. In addition, competition in the following events are held at the state level only:

News Broadcasting News broadcasting is the medium of broadcasting various news events and other information via television, radio, or the internet in the field of broadcast journalism. The content is usually either video production, produced local programming ...

: A pair of contestants present a two-minute news broadcast. In subsequent rounds, prepared scripts are used.

Impromptu Speaking Impromptu speaking is a speech that a person delivers without predetermination or preparation. The speaker is most commonly provided with their topic in the form of a quotation, but the topic may also be presented as an object, proverb, one-word a ...

: In a limited amount of time a student prepares a brief speech on topics such as proverbs, aphorisms or quotations. Preparation time: 5 minutes. Time limit: 5 minutes.

Student Congress Congressional Debate (also known as Student Congress, Legislative Debate) is a competitive interscholastic high school debate event in the United States. The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) ...

: In this event students take on the roles of legislators. Using parliamentary procedure, students debate bills and resolutions on current issues.

Results: Overall Team State Championship

{{cite web , url=http://phssl.org/Brother%20Rene.html , title=Brother Rene Sterner , website=phssl.org , url-status=dead , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415204221/http://www.phssl.org/Brother%20Rene.html , archive-date=2016-04-15 *2019 - Upper St. Clair High School *2018 - North Allegheny High School *2017 - Upper St. Clair High School *2016 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2015 - North Allegheny High School *2014 - North Allegheny High School *2013 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2012 - Danville High School *2011 - McDowell High School *2010 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2009 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2008 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2007 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2006 - Mount Lebanon High School *2005 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2004 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2003 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2002 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *2001 - Scranton High School *2000 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1999 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1998 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1997 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1996 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1995 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1994 - Scranton High School *1993 - Scranton High School *1992 - Scranton High School *1991 - Scranton Central High School *1990 - Scranton Central High School *1989 - Scranton Central High School *1988 - Scranton Central High School *1987 - Scranton Central High School *1986 - Scranton Central High School *1985 - Scranton Central High School *1984 - LaSalle College High School *1983 - Scranton Central High School *1982 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1981 - Holy Ghost Preparatory *1980 - Shikellamy High School *1979 - Shikellamy High School *1978 - Pennsbury High School *1977 - Central District Catholic High *1976 - Scranton Central High School *1975 - Central District Catholic High *1974 - Central District Catholic High *1973 - Pennsbury High School *1972 - Pennsbury High School *1971 - Central District Catholic High *1970 - Scranton Central High School *1969 - Central District Catholic High *1968 - Scranton Central High School *1967 - Central District Catholic High *1966 - Central District Catholic High *1965 - Central District Catholic High *1964 - Cathedral Preparatory School

References

External links

PHSSL Website
Organizations based in Pennsylvania Student debating societies