Woodward Hosts GFCA Fall Meeting

This past Saturday, Woodward Academy hosted the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association Fall Meeting. One of two annual meetings of the state's speech and debate governing association, the event brought more than 30 coaches from throughout Georgia to Woodward. Coaches from schools as far away as Coahulla Creek (in Northwest Georgia, near Chattanooga) and Lee County (in Southern Georgia, near Albany) made the trek to College Park.

The agenda of the meeting included discussion of Home School eligibility, Hall of Fame voting, the use of electronic devices in contest rounds, logistics for the First and Second Year State Championship tournament, and several GFCA initiatives including the Novice Packet, the Curriculum Initiative, and Coaching Clinics.

Visiting coaches enjoyed the newly-remodeled Gresham Chapel Activity Room, a space also used for hospitality at the First and Second Year National Championships hosted each Spring by Woodward. 

Woodward plays an active role in the GFCA. Maggie Berthiaume serves as the Secretary of the organization, one of five executive committee positions. Both Maggie and Bill Batterman serve on the Novice Packet Committee, a group of volunteer coaches tasked with producing the materials used by first-year debaters. Paula Nettles was one of the founders of the organization and is a member of its Hall of Fame.