It is no surprise to a group of Utica Community Schools forensics students that coach Chris Kuhlman has been named the best in Michigan.
“It really is the connections he makes with the team and his students,” said Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies junior Luna Pritchard. “He cares so much about everyone. It just goes beyond being a teacher and coach.”
Kuhlman was named the Michigan Speech Coaches Incorporated Coach of the Year at the organization’s May 23 conference, tournament, and awards ceremony on at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
The award recognized the 19-year teacher for his outstanding direction and commitment to GLK-UAIS forensics students, which placed second in the C/D division this year.
“I am humbled by this affirming recognition,” Kuhlman said in receiving the award before 400 speech students, teachers, and coaches. "My admiration for my colleagues and counterparts within the speech activities community is immense. I'm utterly grateful for their support and recognition.”
Kuhlman has coached forensics for 14 years. In that time, he has coached four state champions as well as numerous runners-up and state finalists.
In accepting the award, Kuhlman stressed the importance of forensics programs to allow students “to find their voices and encourage them to use it in advocacy of their truths and their passions.”
Kuhlman said: “It should be every district's goal to empower student voices and actively find ways to provide educational opportunities to use them. I would also like to add that this recognition is as much about the students as it is about anything else. They are a tenacious group of open-minded individuals who are willing to take critique, correction, and revise to make their pieces grow.”
The opportunity for students to share their voices with others and step outside of their shells is a gift Kuhlman gives his team.
“He was always there to provide support,” said junior Kaitlyn Keusch. “He is always there to get extra practices for us. If we have questions or if we need help, we can always go to him. He has really helped us bond together as a team. Car rides up to the competition are always so much fun.”
“He makes the time to meet with each person,” said Ava Deason. “It starts with that, and I think that is what makes him such a strong coach. He makes a personal connection before launching into helping you perfect your piece.”
Junior Jetmir Mezini said Kuhlman's impact is not limited to teaching his students acting or voice skills. “Even though he was awarded as a forensics coach, it feels like he is so much more than that,” he said. “We’re family. He helped us get out of our shells a lot. We had no doubt that he was going to win when they announced it. We started cheering before they finished announcing it.”
Original source can be found here.
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