Farewell to NCFCA

For the last five years, Noah has competed in speech and debate with NCFCA.  It has been such a time of growth for him.  He's never been that into sports (though he likes ultimate frisbee and climbing!), so this has turned out to be his sport.  And like in all sports, you have to learn how to both win and lose with grace.  He has had opportunity to do both, and has had the privilege of competing at Nationals the last two years.

This year, his last, he decided to focus on just having fun (I think a lot of seniors ascribe to that plan).  He had fun, and it showed! He did an After Dinner Speech on procrastination that won 1st in Memphis, and he had an Original Interp on the Game of Life that won first place in Hattiesburg and at Regionals!  His Original was quite a hit with the moms - especially the scene where he gives birth - I kid you not!

Even though it's out of focus, I love this photo of Noah when he just found out he won first place at Hattiesburg:

Also in Hattieburg, Noah and his debate partner went all the way to semifinals.  This year's cases were on reforming the higher education system:

Noah won two slots to Nationals, but has declined to go this year.  This means that the Regional competition in Baton Rouge was his last.  I calculated we have spent around 20 days each year with these competitors and families from Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.  That's a lot of togetherness!  We will both miss the friends we have made.  I will miss getting to see Noah in a suit.

Several of his NCFCA friends will be attending Lee University, so he'll be seeing them around.  I will have to make do with Facebook!