Congrats to U-High Speechies on their win at Sectionals last Saturday!

State qualifiers include Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards in Dramatic Duet Acting, Emily Honzel in Humorous Interpretation, Jay Simmons in Impromptu Speaking, Rona Hunter in Informative Speaking, Madison Oakley in Poetry Reading, Jess Michels in Radio Speaking, Alison Ogunmokun in Special Occasion Speaking, and the Performance in the Round team. Good luck at State this weekend!

Audrey Keen- 3rd in Dramatic Duet, 5th in Oratory

Ben Edwards- 3rd in Dramatic Duet, 5th in Dramatic Interp

Jay Simmons- 1st in Impromptu, 4th in Extemporaneous

Garrett Medlock- 5th in Humorous Duet

Adam Przybylski- 5th in Humorous Duet

Emily Honzel- 1st in Humorous Interp

Rona Hunter- 1st in Informative

Madison Oakley- 1st in Poetry

Zack Taylor- 7th in Prose

Evan Swiech- 4th in Original Comedy

Jess Michels- 1st in Radio

Alison Ogunmokun- 3rd in Special Occasion

The Pioneer Speech Team remained on top this weekend at Regionals with everyone advancing to sectionals. Champions include Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards in Dramatic Duet Acting, Jay Simmons in Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking, Emily Honzel in Humorous Interp, Rona Hunter in Informative Speaking, Madison Oakley in Poetry, and the Performance in the Round team. Congrats speechies, and good luck at Sectionals!

Audrey Keen- 1st in Dramatic Duet, 3rd in Oratory
Ben Edwards- 1st in Dramatic Duet, 3rd in Dramatic Interp
Jay Simmons- 1st in Extemp, 1st in Impromptu
Emily Honzel- 1st in Humorous Interp
Rona Hunter- 1st in Informative, 3rd in Declamation
Madison Oakley- 1st in Poetry
Garrett Medlock- 4th in Humorous Duet
Adam Przybylski- 4th in Humorous Duet
Evan Swiech- 2nd in Original Comedy
Zack Taylor- 3rd in Prose
Jess Michels- 3rd in Radio
Alison Ogunmokun- 2nd in Special Occasion

Congratulations to Erin Sondgeroth: State Junior Varsity Champion in Informative Speaking! Also congrats to the U-High speechies who won their last seasonal tournament of the year at Lincoln. Champions include Madison Oakley in Poetry Reading, Jay Simmons in Extemporaneous Speaking, Jess Michels in Radio Speaking, Adam Przybylski in Special Occasion Speaking, and Zack Taylor in Prose Reading.

JV State:

Erin Sondgeroth- Gold medalist in Informative Speaking

Hannah Kiel- Silver medalist in Poetry Reading

Megan Helms- Bronze medalist in Oratorical Declamation

Kenzie Taylor- Bronze medalist in Oratorical Declamation

Katie Seelinger- Bronze medalist in Prose Reading

Hannah Schueler- Bronze medalist in Radio Speaking

Mariah Williamson- Bronze medalist in Prose Reading

Lincoln:

Madison Oakley- 1^st in Poetry, 2^nd in Prose

Zack Taylor- 1^st in Prose, 2^nd in Informative

Jay Simmons- 1^st in Extemp, 6^th in Impromptu

Jess Michels- 1^st in Radio, 4^th in Declamation

Adam Przybylski- 1^st in Special Occasion

Audrey Keen- 3^rd in Dramatic Duet, 3^rd in Oratory

Ben Edwards- 3^rd in Dramatic Duet, 4^th in Dramatic Interp

Emily Honzel- 3^rd in Humorous Duet, 4^th in Humorous Interp, 6^th in Poetry

Rona Hunter- 3^rd in Humorous Duet, 4^th in Informative

EJ Newble- 3^rd in Poetry

Alison Ogunmokun- 3^rd in Radio, 2^nd in Special Occasion

Evan Swiech- 2^nd in Original Comedy, 8^th in Prose

The U-High speechies divided and conquered at the Illinois Central College Charles F. Rolinski tournament with over 300 more points than the second place team. Champions at ICC include Jay Simmons in Impromptu Speaking Oratorical Declamation and Extemporaneous Speaking, Zack Taylor in Prose Reading and Informative Speaking, Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards in Dramatic Duet Acting, Rona Hunter and Emily Honzel in Humorous Duet Acting, and Emily in Humorous Interpretation. The team got 5^th overall at Heyworth High School with Alison Ogunmokun winning Special Occasion Speaking.

ICC:

Jay Simmons- 1^st in Extemp, 1^st in Impromptu, 1^st in Declamation

Audrey Keen- 1^st in Dramatic Duet Acting, 3^rd in Oratory, 5^th in Dramatic Interp

Ben Edwards- 1^st in Dramatic Duet Acting, 3^rd in Dramatic Interp

Rona Hunter- 1^st in Humorous Duet Acting, 3^rd in Declamation, 2^nd in Informative

Emily Honzel- 1^st in Humorous Duet Acting, 1^st in Humorous Interp, 2^nd in Poetry

Zack Taylor- 1^st in Prose, 1^st in Informative

Madison Oakley- 2^nd in Prose, 3^rd in Poetry, 3^rd in Informative

Garrett Medlock- 4^th in Poetry, 4^th in Dramatic Interp

Brandon Patkunas- 3^rd in Humorous Interp, 5^th in Prose

Hannah Schueler- 4^th in Radio

Charlea Schueler- 3^rd in Radio

Heyworth:

Alison Ogunmokun- 2^nd in Radio, 1^st in Special Occasion Speaking

EJ Newble- 2^nd in Poetry

Eva Amble- 5^th in Humorous Interp, 2^nd in Oratory

Alex Su- 7^th in Impromptu, 4^th in Informative

Anastasia- 2^nd in JV Impromptu

Mariah Williamson- 5^th in JV Declamation, 5^th in JV Prose

Megan Helms- 2^nd in JV Declamation

Kenzie Taylor- 5^th in Declamation, 3^rd in JV Prose

Grant Guttschow- 3^rd in Original Comedy

U-High Speech Team dominated once again at Eureka High School on January 21^st. Champions include Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards in Dramatic Duet Acting, Jay Simmons in Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking, Erin Sondgeroth in JV Informative Speaking, Rona Hunter in Informative Speaking, Evan Swiech in Original Comedy, Alison Ogunmokun in Special Occasion Speaking, Kenzie Taylor in JV Oratorical Declamation and Audrey Keen in Original Oratory.

Audrey Keen- 1^st in Dramatic Duet, 1^st in Oratory

Jay Simmons- 1^st in Extemp, 1^st in Impromptu

Rona Hunter- 1^st in Informative

Erin Sondgeroth- 1^st in JV Informative

Alison Ogunmokun- 1^st in Special Occasion, 2^nd in Radio

Evan Swiech- 1^st in Original Comedy

Kenzie Taylor- 1^st in Declamation, 4^th in JV Prose

Ben Edwards- 1^st in Dramatic Duet, 3^rd in Dramatic Interp

Anastasia Pavlova- 6^th in JV Impromptu, 6^th in JV Dramatic Interp

Hannah Schueler- 5^th in JV Humorous Duet, 3^rd in JV Radio

Charlea Schueler- 5^th in JV Humorous Duet, 2^nd in JV Radio

Adam Przybylski- 7^th in Humorous Interp, 2^nd in Special Occasion

Zack Taylor- 5^th in Informative, 3^rd in Prose

Mariah Williamson- 3^rd in JV Declamation

Jess Michels- 5^th in Declamation

Grant Guttschow- 4^th in Original Comedy

EJ Newble- 6^th in Poetry

Madison Oakley- 4^th in Poetry, 2^nd in Prose

The U-High Speech Team divided and conquered this weekend, competing in three different tournaments. They were split between Reed Custer High School, Richwoods High School, and Buffalo Grove High School. Champions include Jess Michels in Oratorical Declamation, Audrey Keen in Original Oratory, Benjamin Edwards in Prose , Rona Hunter in Info, and Madison Oakley in next-in Info.

RICHWOODS

Anastasia Pavlova- 3^rd Dramatic Intrepretation

Katherine Seelinger- 7^th Prose

BUFFALO GROVE

Madison Oakley- 1^st next-in Info, 6^th Prose

Rona Hunter- 1^st Info, 2^nd next-in Oratorical Declamation, 3^rd next-in Humorous Duet Acting

Emily Honzel- 3^rd Humorous Interpretation, 3^rd next-in Humorous Duet Acting

Jay Simmons- 2^nd Oratorical Declamation, 6^th Impromptu & Extemporaneous Speaking

REED CUSTER

Benjamin Edwards- 1^st Prose, 6^th Dramatic Duet Acting

Audrey Keen- 1^st Original Oratory, 6^th Dramatic Duet Acting

Jess Michels- 1^st Oratorical Declamation

Grant Guttschow- 3^rd Original Comedy

Alison Ogunmokun- 2^nd Special Occasion Speaking, 7^th Radio Speaking

Charlea Schueler- 5^th Radio Speaking

Adam Przbylski- 3^rd Special Occasion Speaking

U-High Speechies conquered at the Olympia Christmas Classic last weekend. Champions include Emily Honzel and Rona Hunter in Humorous Duet Acting, Jay Simmons in Impromptu Speaking, Zack Taylor in Informative and Prose, Audrey Keen in Original Oratory, Mariah Williamson in JV Prose, Madison Oakley in Poetry, and Alison Ogunmokun in Radio Speaking and Special Occasion Speaking.

Marissa Thomas & Becca Gocker- 4^th Dramatic Duet Acting

Audrey Keen- 5^th Dramatic Interpretation, 1^st Original Oratory

Jay Simmons- 3^rd Extemporaneous Speaking, 1^st Impromptu Speaking

Rona Hunter & Emily Honzel- 1^st Humorous Duet Acting

Alexander Su- 3^rd JV Impromptu, 2^nd JV Informative

Madison Oakley- 2^nd Informative, 1^st Poetry

Zack Taylor- 1^st Informative, 1^st Prose

Erin Sondergroth- 3^rd Informative

Megan Helms- 2^nd JV Oratorical Declamation

Kenzie Taylor- 5^th Oratorical Declamation, 2^nd JV Prose

Jess Michels- 4^th Oratorical Declamation, 2^nd Original Oratory

Evan Swiech- 2^nd Original Comedy, 4^th Prose

Hannah Newble- 2^nd JV Poetry

Emily Honzel- 2^nd Poetry

EJ Newble- 3^rd Poetry

Mariah Williamson- 1^st JV Prose

Alison Ogunmokun- 1^st Radio Speaking, 1^st Special Occasion Speaking

U-High speechies dominated last weekend’s speech tournament at Metamora, with over twice the points of the second place team. Champions include Audrey Keen in Dramatic Interpretation and Original Oratory, Jay Simmons in Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking, Evan Swiech in Original Comedy, Zack Taylor in Prose Reading, Brandon Patkunas in Humorous Interpretation, Madison Oakley in Informative Speaking, and Rona Hunter in Oratorical Declamation. This tournament brought the speechies to a total of 75 individual medals. Congrats!

Ben Edwards- 2^nd in Dramatic Duet Acting, 2^nd in Prose Reading, 3^rd in Impromptu Speaking

Becca Gocker- 5^th in Dramatic Duet Acting, 5^th in Oratorical Declamation

Grant Guttschow- 3^rd in Original Comedy

Rona Hunter- 2^nd in Informative Speaking, 1^st in Oratorical Declamation

Audrey Keen- 1^st in Dramatic Interpretation, 1^st in Original Oratory, 2^nd in Dramatic Duet Acting

Hannah Kiel- 5^th in Poetry Reading

EJ Newble- 3^rd in Poetry Reading

Hannah Newble- Top Novice in Poetry Reading

Madison Oakley- 1^st in Informative Speaking, 4^th in Poetry Reading, 4^th in Prose Reading

Brandon Patkunas- 1^st in Humorous Interpretation

Adam Przybylski- 2^nd in Special Occasion Speaking, 2^nd in Humorous Interpretation

Jay Simmons- 1^st in Impromptu Speaking, 1^st in Extemporaneous Speaking, 2^nd in Radio Speaking

Erin Sondgeroth- Top Novice in Informative Speaking

Evan Swiech- 1^st in Original Comedy

Zack Taylor- 1^st in Prose Reading, 3^rd in Informative Speaking

Marissa Thomas- 5^th in Dramatic Duet Acting

The Pioneer speechies swept the competition on Saturday?s tournament at Tremont High School, ranking 1st of large schools. Champions include Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards in Dramatic Duet Acting,  Zack Taylor in both Informative Speaking and Prose Reading, Kylie Ashton Maurer in Poetry, Charlea Schueler in Radio Speaking, Adam Przybylski in Special Occasion Speaking, and Grant Guttschow in Original Comedy.

Complete Results:

Audrey Keen- 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation, 3rd in Original Oratory, 1st in Dramatic Duet Acting Garrett Medlock- 2nd in Poetry, 6th in Dramatic Interpretation Anastasia Pavlova- Top Novice in Dramatic Interpretation Ben Edwards- 2nd in Impromptu Speaking, 2nd in Prose Reading, 1st in Dramatic Duet Acting Brandon Patkunas- 2nd in Humorous Interpretation Madison Oakley- 3rd in Informative Speaking Kenzie Taylor- 3rd in Oratorical Declamation Kahlie Kilcher- Top Novice in Oratorical Declamation Charlea Shcueler- 1st in Radio Speaking Adam Przybylski- 1st in Special Occasion Speaking Grant Guttschow- 1st in Original Comedy Zack Taylor- 1st in Informative Speaking, 1st in Prose Reading Hannah Kiel- Top Novice in Poetry.

The U-High Speech Team won their first tournament of the year this weekend at the Limestone Early Bird Tournament. Champions include Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards in Dramatic Duet Acting, Adam Przybylski in Special Occasion Speaking, Hannah Kiel in JV Poetry, and Mariah Williamson in JV Prose. Double Champs include Madison Oakley in Poetry and Informative Speaking, and Jay Simmons in Radio Speaking and Extemporaneous Speaking.

Emily Honzel and Rona Hunter- 2^nd in Humorous Duet Acting

Brandon Patkunas- 4^th in Humorous Interpretation

Adam Przybylski- 2^nd in Humorous Interpretation, 1^st in Special Occasion Speaking

Madison Oakley- 5^th in Prose Reading, 1^st in Poetry, 1^st in Informative Speaking

Jay Simmons- 2^nd in Impromptu Speaking, 1^st in Radio Speaking, 1^st in Extemporaneous Speaking

Garret Medlock- 3^rd in Poetry, 2^nd in Dramatic Interpretation

Kylie Ashton Maurer- 4^th in Poetry

Ben Edwards- 4^th in Prose Reading, 1^st in Dramatic Duet Acting

Audrey Keen- 3^rd in Dramatic Interpretation, 1^st in Dramatic Duet Acting

Blake Kruger- 5^th in Impromptu Speaking, 5^th in Extemporaneous Speaking

Grant Guttschow- 3^rd in Original Comedy

Becca Gocker- 4^th in Oratorical Declamation

Alison Ogunmokun- 2^nd in Radio Speaking

Charlea Schueler- 6^th in Radio Speaking

Mariah Williamson- 1^st in JV Prose Reading

Hannah Kiel- 1^st in JV Poetry

Anastasia Pavlova- 2^nd in JV Dramatic Interpretation.

The U-High Speech Team has spent the last two weekends competing in and dominating the State Series. The Pioneer speeches placed 1^st both the Regional and Sectional tournaments and advanced enough students onto the state competition that they are currently ranked second in the state.

At the Regional level, the speechies had to receive 4^th place or higher in order to advance on to Sectionals- and all 14 entries from U-high achieved this. Kambria Vance and Audrey Keen took 4^th place in Dramatic Duet Acting, and Kambria also placed 2^nd in Dramatic Interpretation. Emily Honzel and Rona Hunter earned 2^nd in Humorous Duet Acting. Kelsey Larson took 1^st place in Humorous Interpretation and 3^rd in Poetry, and Nate May received 3^rd in Extemporaneous Speaking. 3^rd place in both Impromptu and Radio Speaking went to Jay Simmons, and Whit Pledger placed 3^rd in Special Occasion Speaking and 2^nd in Oratorical Declamation. Grant Guttschow received 3^rd place in Original Comedy, and 1^st place in Informative Speaking went to Elora Karim. Natalie Bowman earned 1^st place in both Prose Interpretation and Original Oratory. U-High’s Performance in the Round also earned first place.

At the Sectional level, 3^rd place and above was required to make it on to state. Kambria and Audrey earned 1^st in DDA, and Kambria received 2^nd in DI. Whit tied for 3^rd in both Oratorical Declamation and Special Occasion Speaking, and Kelsey placed 1^st in both Poetry and Humorous Interpretation. In Humorous Duet Acting, Emily and Rona earned 4^th place, and Jay received 4^th place in Radio Speaking and 3^rd place in Impromptu Speaking. Nate took 5^th in Extemporaneous Speaking, Elora took 2^nd in Informative Speaking, and Natalie placed 3rd^st in Prose Interpretation and 1^st in Original Oratory. The Performance in the Round placed 1^st once more.

Congratulations U-high Speechies, and good luck at State!

At this weekend’s 70’s themed tournament at Normal Community High School, the Pioneer Speech Team reached their seasonal goal of 6 tournament wins, and brought their medal count up to 160. Garret Medlock and Katie Newport received 3^rd, Kambria Vance and Erin Hutchins earned 2^nd, and Audrey Keen and Ben Edwards got 1^st place in Dramatic Duet Acting. In Dramatic Interpretation Kambria Vance received 3^rd place and, in Novice Finals, Kenzie Taylor earned 6^th, and in Humorous Interpretation Allison Ogunmokun earned 6^th. 1^st and 5^th place in Impromptu Speaking went to Jay Simmons and Ben Edwards, and Elora Karim received 2^nd in Informative. Sadie Skibo earned 2^nd in Novice Oratorical Declamation, and Whit Pledger and Natalie Bowman received 2^nd and 3^rd in Original Oratory. Madison Oakley got 4^th in Junior Varsity Original Comedy and 2^nd in Junior Varsity Poetry, and Kelsey Larson received 3^rd in Poetry. In Prose Interpretation, Natalie Bowman earned 1^st, Garrett Medlock received 2^nd, Audrey Keen received 5^th, and Marissa Diekhoff got 7^th. In Radio Speaking, Jay Simmons earned 2^nd place and Allison Ogunmokun earned 3^rd. Finally, in Special Occasion Speaking, Whit Pledger received 5^th and Jess Michels got 3^rd. Way to go, Pioneer Speechies!