Speech Team advances to sectional competitions in Normal Saturday

Among the many and various competitions sponsored by Illinois High School Association, none is more brutal for small schools than speech competitions. There is no categorization by school size, budget or number of students attending.

Thus, Harrisburg High School speech teams are in a David vs. Goliath status with bigger schools.

Like David, these fast talking, fast thinking debaters, actors and humorists simply load up their slings and place their shots very well.

This year's team went to regional competition against 11 other schools and finished fourth out of 12.

It was a very good showing. So good, the team will move on to sectional competitions in Normal on Feb. 14.

Their 10 awards qualified them to compete this coming Saturday in the IHSA Sectional Competition held at Normal West High School in Normal. Perhaps the team will bring home a Valentine or two to the school.

At the regionals: Andrew Jeffries was fourth in special occasion speaking; Andrew Jeffries and Zach Mitchell were third in dramatic duet acting; Macartney Motsinger was second in humorous interpretation and second in original comedy; Nathan Butler was fourth in impromptu speaking; Gabriella Tison was third in informative speaking and fourth in original oratory; Alex Watkins was third in oratorical declamation; Gracie Alexander was third in poetry and fourth in prose.

The students were competing against 300 other students and three speakers from the Harrisburg squad were named to the top 25 speakers of the season. Gabriella Tison was named fourth highest speaker; Andrew Jeffries was fifth highest speaker; Macartney Motsinger was named sixth highest speaker. The season is from November through January.

Coaches who helped the team were: Tina Mondino, C.J. Harbison, Benjie Willsey and Zach Hanks.