Speech Team to hold annual "Let's Talk" event
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Harrisburg High School Speech Team is hosting its annual performance night, "Let's Talk," at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening in Bonnell Gym at the high school.
The top individual in each of the 13 events will perform his or her speech for the audience, and refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to attend the event.
Four of the team members who will be performing Thursday night were recently honored by placing in the top 25 speakers in the Egyptian Forensics League, which covers Illinois high schools from Springfield down to Southern Illinois. There are about 300 speakers in the Egyptian Forensics League.
Junior Brandon Johnson was the top speaker in the league. According to Head Speech Coach Tina Mondino, this means he has placed either first or second at every tournament this year. Johnson competes in the events original comedy and dramatic interpretation.
"He's really done a great job," said Mondino. "We have a really good team this year."
Juniors D.J. Duncan and Philip West, along with senior Puja Mehta, also placed in the top 25 speakers in the Egyptian Forensics League. Duncan competes in the events humorous interpretation and humorous duet acting, and West competes in extemporaneous speaking and special occasion speaking. Mehta competes in original oratory and impromptu speaking.
This Saturday the top performers in each event will compete at the regional tournament, and those who place in their events will move on to the sectionals tournament and then state. Team members seemed excited and confident about the upcoming tournaments.
"I think we've definitely improved since last year," said West. "There's a lot more commitment."
Along with Mondino, the Harrisburg Speech Team is coached by Zachary Hanks and Sara DeNeal.