The Downers Grove South Speech Team has captured first place at the Illinois High School Association State Speech Tournament!
The Downers Grove South Speech Team captured first place at the 2017 Illinois High School Association State Speech Tournament. The team earned 34 points, edging out Wheaton Warrenville South and Prospect High Schools for the top spot in the Individual Events competition.
Leading the way was junior Brianna Leys who won the State Championship in the Humorous Interpretation category. Senior Beatrice Beirne earned second place in Poetry Reading and the duo of juniors Jessica Windischman and Jonah Ocuto finished in that same spot in Dramatic Duet Acting. Senior Grace Ulch earned third place in Oratorical Declamation and a fourth place in Prose Reading. Senior Vanessa Copeland gathered a pair of fourth-place finishes: Radio Speaking and Dramatic Interpretation. Junior Hayley DeSilva placed fifth in the Special Occasion Speaking category. Also competing for the Mustangs during the state series were Lydia Walsh-Rock, Tim Werner, and Josh Hernandez.
DGS Junior Brianna Leys won the State Championship in the Humorous Interpretation category
“Watching the students compete is amazing, and their season-long efforts and determination come shining through," commented Principal Ed Schwartz. " As proud as I am in the success that they experience, I am even more proud of how this group represents themselves and their school community,”
The South High Speech Team is led by alum and current teacher, Justin Matkovich. Mr. Matkovich is a former IHSA State Speech Champion in his own right. Others who have helped with the program through coaching roles includes Chris Blum, Josh Durham, Autumn Geist, Jan Heiteen, Alex Jones, Harris Salim, Jon Hansen, Erin C. Walsh, and Peter Szpytek.