Over 100 students from 16 area high schools took part in the Catholic Forensic League of Erie Qualifying Tournament on Saturday.
The students start training in September for the competition. Organizers say it is a great way to help students develop their public speaking skills.
"Coaching it for so many years you see the students starting out and being so nervous to developing into these fantastic public speakers that can hold their own not only in the classroom, but in anything they do," said Director Susan Peebles.
Peebles say that 46 winners from Saturday will now represent Erie at the Grand National Tournament this May in Philadelphia.