IHSA hosts state speech finals in Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. – (25 News) – Students from across Illinois gathered at the Peoria Civic Center Saturday to compete at the IHSA State Speech Finals Tournament.
This is the 81st year for the individual events competition. Categories include original comedy, poetry reading, and radio speaking, plus close to a dozen others. 73 teams representing cities and towns statewide attended with one goal in mind: make it to the finals.
Some students said they have practiced their speech for the weekend since last summer, like Pekin senior Caroline Manning. For her, this is the ultimate payoff for doing speech in all four years of high school.
“I remember myself as a freshman, looking up to everyone and seeing ‘I want to be like that someday’ and I’m so proud of myself that I actually get to be one of those people that people look up to,” Manning said.
It wasn’t just competitors and coaches present to represent their schools. Families and friends joined across the exhibit halls to cheer on their teams.
“Some of our teammates who aren’t competing today, even our classmates, have come to come watch us and it’s really awesome to see them,” said Pekin Community High Senior Anna Soupos.
Other teams representing the area included East Peoria, Dunlap, Normal, Peoria, and Washington.
