<em>Photo above:&nbsp;Lauren Curry and Brodie Brant won the Team Policy Debate.</em>

The National Christian Forensics and Communications Association provides home-schooled high school students the opportunity to compete in speech and debate tournaments at a regional and national level. &nbsp;

NCFCA allows students to develop their critical thinking and speaking skills through Team Policy and Lincoln Douglas Debate as well as various speech formats.

Christos Apologia, a local NCFCA club, recently competed in the NCFCA Region VIII Qualifying Tournament held at Columbia International University in Columbia. &nbsp;

Region VIII includes Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Several local club members made it to the finals in various events.

Brodie Brant and Lauren Curry, home-school students from CBCCA Christian Academy, won the Team Policy Debate, competing against 24 other teams.&nbsp; The TP Debate resolution for this year was “The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its policies towards the People’s Republic of China.”

Elaina Mansell won the Biographical Narrative category with a speech based on the life of Virginia Prodan, a Romanian attorney persecuted for her Christianity. &nbsp;

Bud Mansell placed second in Biblical Presentation with a selection of scripture from the Book of John, highlighting the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. &nbsp;

Haddie Mansell placed second in Original Interpretation detailing the story of a little girl injured in the workhouses of Wales in the early 1800s.

These students along with several others from the club have qualified to compete in the Regional Championship in April for a slot at the National Championship in June held in Minnesota at University of Northwestern St. Paul.

The NCFCA is always looking for members of the community to judge at the various events. Visit www.ncfca.org.