The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

The official site of the Torch, the student-run newspaper at Glenbrook North High School.

Torch

Students prepare for upcoming regional speech competition

The IHSA Regional tournament for Individual Events, a statewide speech competition, is scheduled to take place on Feb. 2 at the Civic Center in Peoria, Ill.

According to Individual Events sponsor Sarah Ilie, the IHSA Regional tournament is an event where students partake in speech events such as dramatic and humorous interpretation, prose and oratory. The tournament will be open to the public with limited seating available.

Students who place in the regional tournament will qualify for the state final tournament on Feb. 15 in Peoria, Ill. For sophomore Kevin Medansky, qualifying for State with his humorous duet acting would be a “dream come true.”

“The state championship would be such an honor,” said Medansky. “We all work so hard preparing our speeches, going over and over them.”

To senior Ryan Wagner, who performs dramatic duet acting, speech team has been “really enjoyable.” Wagner has made it to regionals for the past two years and has started preparing for this year’s.

“The rehearsal schedule is getting pretty rigorous,” said Wagner. “I’m practicing nearly every day. Additionally, we’re constantly re-cutting and reinterpreting scripts to make them as competitive as possible.”

According to Ilie, the team is hopeful of their chances at State and finishing the rest of their season successfully.

“The kids work so hard to go to State,” said Ilie. “It truly is incredible how much effort and work they put in. It’s going to be a fun time.”