After swooping down into the State Speech Tournament in Peoria, the seven Carl Sandburg Speaking Eagles,
flew back to their Orland Park perch, with three medals and their best team record since 2006.

On Friday, February 17, and Saturday, February 18, seven members of the Sandburg Speech team competed in the
IHSA State Finals at the Peoria Convention Center. Pat Kelly competed in Special Occasion Speaking with a humorous persuasive speech about the need for empathy in the classroom. Destiny Strothers, in Poetry Reading, presented a program of poems about the power of music. In Dramatic Duet Acting, Alyssa Zaczek and Ryan Fish
performed a scene from Death and the Maiden, about a woman seeking justice after she was raped and tortured as a political prisoner.

Junior Rahul Jacob, placed 5th in the State in Humorous Interpretation, with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, about a colorful group of spellers who learn lessons about life and love. Senior Lauren Rasch, placed 4th in the State, in Prose Reading with A Girl named Zippy, a bitter sweet story about an eight year old keeping the faith at Christmas. Junior Lauren Brouwers, placed 3rd in Informative Speaking, with a speech about the power of oxytocin to bring us together.

" Wow! The performances were great!" commented Sandburg Activity Director, Terry Treasure, who joined the team in Peoria and attended several rounds. "I was thrilled to see Mr. Treasure in my round." said Rasch. "It was a big boost." The State team was also bolstered by the entire Sandburg Speech team which left Sandburg at 4AM on Saturday to spend the day supporting their team.

With the State Series behind them, the Speaking Eagles look ahead to the National Forensic League qualifying tournament at Downers Grove South High School on March 3. The national tournament takes place in June in Indianapolis.

The Sandburg Speech Team is coached by Michelle Etchason, Geoff Epperson, Kathleen Pollock, Tom Lucas, Chrissi Petropulos and Dan Sackett.