Two students from the Lawrence school district qualified Saturday to the National Forensics League national tournament in congressional debate.

Grace Phillips, left, and Lauren Pauls qualified to the National Forensics League national tournament in congressional debate.

Grace Phillips, left, and Lauren Pauls qualified to the National Forensics League national tournament in congressional debate.

Grace Phillips, a senior at Free State High School, and Lauren Pauls, a senior at Lawrence High School, earned a trip to nationals by claiming the top two places at the NFL East Kansas District tournament Friday and Saturday at Bishop Miege High School in Johnson County.

Phillips is the daughter of Steve and Jean Phillips of Perry. Pauls is the daughter of John and Susan Pauls of Lawrence.

Pauls qualified to the national tournament in the same event last year and placed 39th in the nation.

Congressional debate is an event in which speakers compete individually in a large group setting that simulates a chamber of Congress.

The national qualifying tournament for other forensics events will be April 19-20 at Olathe South High School.

The national tournament is June 16-21 in Birmingham, Ala.