Downers South Speech Team Places In State Tournament

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Students on Downers Grove South's group interpretation speech team recently placed in the Illinois High School Association's (IHSA) state and sectionals tournaments.

The team placed first in the sectionals meet and fifth in the state competition by performing an interpretation of Roald Dahl's "The Witches." The video performance was submitted via Zoom.

The following students were members of the group interpretation speech team:

• Samantha Bachara
• Catherine Hewawissa
• Faith Nelson
• Sydney Richardson
• Ryan Rosignal
• Gwen Royale
• Kayte Salgado
• Jo Stewart
• Delaney Turner
• Samantha Wiggins

“Coaching these students in a virtual setting presented many challenges, and their tenacity and determination was inspiring,” Speech Coach and Group Interpretation Director Chris Blum said in a news release. “I couldn't be more proud of a group of actors. Not only for persevering during the pandemic, but working collaboratively to reimagine what competitive theater could look like through a virtual medium.”