NDA+Fencing+Club

=People in snappy white uniforms hitting each other with 36 inches of steel...= = NDA Fencing = = = **What does the Fencing Club do?** We fence, of course, which means we wear special safety equipment and attempt to hit other people with swords while trying not to get hit ourselves. At our weekly practices we learn the techniques of modern sport saber fencing, apply them vigorously upon each other, and applaud when someone does something that works really well. We regularly compete against other schools, students and adults included. We perform a skit or demo during Cabaret Night where we can show our talents in front of an audience. In February of 2007, Mike Conard represented the club on a national level, fencing in the Junior Olympic Championships in Denver. The following year, Anna Maria Ebli and Sarah Messerschmidt competed at the Junior Olympics in Charlotte, North Carolina. = = Our fencing instructor is Mr. Steven Stary, (NDA '92) an English/Social Studies teacher at NDA. He learned fencing from the University of Wisconsin and has been fencing since 1995. Assistant instructor is Ms. Dierdra Baumgart, who has been fencing since 1997. But that's just the adults. The more advanced students do rather a lot to help the beginners, and in teaching others the basics, they become better fencers in the long run as well. = = Not much at all. We're open to all students who are willing to follow the safety rules. We do our best to provide equipment for beginners, but most of our members get their own gear sooner or later. Club dues are $25 and are used to maintain club equipment. = =  The Robert Burns Memorial Tournament is NDA's annual fencing tournament. It is held on or around January 25, the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, and author of such poems as "Address to the Haggis" and "Auld Lang Syne." The event began as an informal, in-house competition that happened to occur on Jan. 25 the first year. Realizing that it was Burns Day, we named the competition for him. As an unfunded club, we had no money to spend on prizes, instead awarding the winner with the title, "King Haggis." (There has yet to be a Queen Haggis, but it has been close.) Since then, it has become a bigger social event, featuring fencing competition, tartan-wearing, group picture for the yearbook, Scottish food, and even occasionally bagpipes. This year, NDA held a Mixed D and Under event on Jan. 24 for USFA fencers. The "traditional" Robert Burns event for NDA fencers only was held April 18, with our new "King Haggis VII" Calvin Berceau winning the title. __**Helpful Links:**__ [|www.wifencing.org] Home page for fencing in Wisconsin. http://www.usfencing.org/ Home page for the US Fencing Association. http://www.fencing.net/ A great site for fencing forums, information, and equipment. http://www.askfred.net/ Fencing Results and Events Database. Go here to find upcoming events, register for them, and see results. http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/ A good place to get a decent price on beginner and practice equipment.
 * Who's in charge of this?**
 * What do you need to join us?**
 * What is the Robert Burns Tournament?**