Downers South Students Excel In State Speech Tournament

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Illinois High School Association sectional and state speech tournaments might have been held virtually due to coronavirus, but that didn't stop students from Downers Grove South from delivering standout performances. Several students placed in individual and team events at the competitions, which were held Feb. 13, Feb. 19 and Feb. 20.

For each tournament, most events were conducted live via Zoom. Overall, the Downers Grove South team ranked 3rd place in the sectional tournament and 7th place in the state tournament.

The following students earned individual recognition in the state tournament:

• Samantha Wiggins: 3rd place in Original Oratory
• Gwen Royle: 3rd place in Humorous Duet Acting
• Sydney Richardson: 3rd place in Humorous Duet Acting and 4th place in Original Comedy
• Kayte Salgado: 5th place in Prose Reading

Several students also participated in a pre-recorded Performance in the Round event. The following students earned 2nd place in the sectional competition and 6th place in the state competition:

• Samantha Bachara
• Delaney Turner
• Gianna Caponigro
• Maija Flannery
• Sabrina Crowely
• Samuel Kissi-Baah
• Audrey Jayne
• Eleanore Malinowski
• Catherine Hewawissa
• Jazmin Brown
• Jo Stewart
• Max Fido
• Megan Fox
• Nathan Frewen
• Naomi Yong

“It has been inspiring to watch the speech community come together to give students the opportunity to perform, even during a difficult season,” Downers Grove South High School English Teacher and Speech Team Sponsor Justin Matkovich said in a newsletter.

Matkovich added, “I'm so proud of our students for sticking together and making this state tournament just as special as ever.”