Across America: Ridge High School
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — “Across America” highlights squads across our country that compete in Lincoln-Douglas debate — local circuit, regional circuit, national circuit — and other forensic events.
Dave Yastremski, the director of the University School Forensics Team, agreed to be interviewed for the second installment of “Across America.”
FOUNDED: 1967
FOUNDERS: “Per our yearbooks, Ridge had a forensics team from 1967-1971 with two different advisors: McHugh and Vogel. As for the current program, I started the current version program in 1998. At that time, we had five students — four interpers and one extemper — today we had 83 active members.”
PRESENT DIRECTOR: David Yastremski
PAST AND PRESENT DIRECTORS AND ASSISTANT COACHES: “Assistant Coaches that have worked with the team in that time include [the following].”
Cara Restaino — 2007-present (Assistant Director)
Jason Wood — 2000-present (Speech)
Laurie Johnson — 2001-present (LD & PF)
Dario Camara — 2002-2007 (LD)
Sarah Villar — 2005-2009 (Speech)
Charlie Furman — 2007-present (LD)
Chrissy Kugel — 2007-2008 (PF)
Marta Abel ‘03 — 2008-2009 (LD)
Marsha Moroni — 2008-present (Financial Manager)
Kathy Stout ‘03 — 2008-present (Speech)
EVENTS: Lincoln-Douglas debate, Public Forum debate, all Individual Events
How do you recruit new students at the beginning of each season?
We begin recruiting during the Activity Night for incoming freshmen. After that we have a series of meetings that parents and interested students can attend. We then hold auditions during the last week of September.
What makes speech and debate at your program special?
I’m not sure what you’re looking for with this one…we have amazing support from our community and administration. Each year, I hear from coaches who have to jump hurdles to just to attend tournaments. Our program has been able to grow due to the overwhelming motivation and support of our Superintendent, Principal, Board of Education, and administration. In addition, our parents and students are committed to relentless fundraising to continue offering travel and competition opportunities. It really is a community-sponsored program!
Are there any recent accomplishments about which your team is particularly proud
While we are indebted to those students who individually perform well at the national level, we’re proud of the team awards at NCFL and NFL — especially because they recognize the full scope of the program in all genres. This particular year, we had tournament champions at several nationally-ranked tournaments, and they were by different students in different events. We also enjoyed an very motivated novice group this year; I personally am proud to see the new generation come in so strong. We’re also in line for the Karl Mundt Award in Congress at this year’s NFL — again, recognizing the longevity of our Congress program.
STUDENT TESTIMONIAL: Varun Jayaraman, captain for the 2009-2010 season explains that tThe Ridge Forensics team is probably more of a family than anything. There isn’t really a divide between speech and debate. Mr. Yastremski definitely stresses the educational value of forensics; anyone who has heard his pep talks before major tournaments can attest to that. That’s definitely why Ridge Forensics will have a lasting effect on me. We value the skills learned from forensics, rather than the trophies.”
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