After a four-year hiatus, the Forensic Society returned to UH in 2002 and has since re-established its place on top in competitions — winning 37 national championships since its revival — and in charity work. The focus of the program is to build unity first and win second, zooming in on its voluntary efforts on homeless shelters, Shriners Hospital for Children is hosting debate tournaments at the middle and high school level.
“Volunteering has as nothing to do with winning trophies, but has everything to do with being a team,” said Michael Fain, director of the society. “We are a different type of program, where one-third of our activities are competition and two-thirds are voluntary work.”
UHFS hosted a national qualifier for high school debate teams on April 11, and then hosted a middle school tournament Saturday. The hosting of these two events are key factors in what the program does these days.
Of the 300 members, only 35 are involved in competitions with the most recent accomplishment being first year competitors taking fifth place in the National Novice competition.
UHFS is involved in 60 different events year round, whether in competition or some form of voluntary activity.