The Wisconsin Lyceum Society was founded in 1895, and was instrumental in the founding of the National Forensic League(NFL) in Ripon, Wis. in 1925. That same year, the Wisconsin Lyceum Society changed its name to Wisconsin High School Forensic Association(WHSFA) to align with the new organization it helped to inspire and support.
Name Change (2022)
Toward the end of the twentieth century, middle level speech programming was added, while a new concept in television series exploded across popular culture, championed by CSI: Crime Scene Investigation — forensic science. The common Latin root of the word “forensic” means to seek the truth for the public good, so activities such as Speech, Debate, and Theatre encourage students to research information and literature, so they may share, discuss, and/or perform the truth of a character and that character’s milieu. However, the connotation of the word “forensic” almost universally shifted to law enforcement and science.
Several leaders of the WHSFA have been stymied in attempts to promote the organization and its activities among school administrators and other stakeholders, who either were confused by an organization with “high school” in the name claiming to serve middle level grades, or why that organization was asking students to speak about dead bodies. Additionally, other factors, such as the changing nature of education, shifting demographics — including from the millennial generation to Generation Z — meant it was time to do some deliberative thinking and strategic planning to foster a strong foundation from which to operate, moving forward. Hence, the Board of Control began conversations around strategic planning, culminating in several initiatives it approved this month.
The first phase centered around the organization’s purpose — its identity. After considering how other organizations reoriented their identity, such as the National Thespian Societybecoming the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), the NFL becoming the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), and even its own history of name change, the Board adopted a new name, effective with the 2022-23 year: Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Association(WISDAA). “Interscholastic” is inclusive of middle level grades and indicates the multi-institutional nature of contests and programming. “Speech” indicates the central approach to communication in Speech and Debate activities. “Dramatic Arts” is common nomenclature for both Theatre and Film, which will make its debut this year (2021-22).
The purpose phase continued with revising the mission to more clearly reflect what the organization does, and to articulate a vision and core values. Those are reflected above.
Timeline
W.H. Schulz founded the society for lyceum (intraschool), league (two or more schools), district, and state levels. Prior to 1912, contests strictly focused on declamation (performance of literature) for girls and oratory (persuasive speaking) for boys.
Debate (for both boys and girls, together) was done on a limited lyceum level, but was not expanded until 1912.
Name change to Wisconsin High School Forensic Association; UW-Madison’s Extension assumes operational responsibility.
The National Forensic League (now, National Speech & Debate Association) is founded in Ripon, Wisconsin, with consultation of the leaders of WISDAA.
One-act contests debut.
During World War II, Victory Speeches were held at the school level as a substitute for traveling to interscholastic contests when resources were scarce.
Nonprofit status officially established with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), paving the way for WISDAA to become an independent nonprofit organization.
The one-act play contest evolves to become the anchor of the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival, a comprehensive event that includes workshops, full-length production showcases, and overall engagement by the post-secondary theatre community.
The organization is extracted from the UW Extension, becoming an independent nonprofit organization, and moving its offices to Evansville.
The organization moves its office to Waukesha with the hiring of Chuck Malone as executive director.
The organization moves its office to Ripon (and then to La Crosse in 2017) with the hiring of Adam Jacobi as executive director.
The organization partners with Wisconsin Thespians to increase engagement at the state theatre festival.
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, the organization pivots to offer its programming and contests entirely online, which remains an option to reach online schools and provide opportunities for schools and students needing flexibility to participate.
For the second time in the organization’s history, its name changes; this time, to Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech & Dramatic Arts Association.