Schaumburg’s Speech Team delivered an impressive performance at the November 22 tournament at Schaumburg High School, with several students placing in their categories. Eighteen schools participated in the tournament, including Conant, Hoffman, York, Warren Township, Wheaton, Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Fremd, and many more. Eleven students competed at the tournament, representing the team with strong effort and preparation.
Ms. Herrera and Mrs. Paolella hosted the tournament for the first time. It was different because they did a lot of planning to make sure the tournament ran smoothly. It was also unique because it was a JV/Novice level, so there were a lot more newcomers participating in the tournament compared to others.
“I’ve learned that you need to be flexible when you host tournaments and I hope all the students learn that challenges may come up but as long as they stay calm and use their resources they can always figure it out!” said Mrs. Paolella, one of the speech coaches.
Eseem Komal and Julia Strojny earned 1st place in Dramatic Duet Acting (DDA) with a performance that combined precise character work with strong emotional range. In Informative Speaking, Savya Patel earned 2nd place, showcasing strong research skills and clear, engaging delivery.
Sanchi Patel placed 3rd in Prose Interpretation, impressing judges with polished narration and expressive character voices. In Poetry Interpretation, Mia Jacobson earned 4th place, bringing depth to her performance. Additionally, Gurmann Kaler placed 6th in Informative Speaking, presenting a well-structured and insightful speech.
“Our Duet Dramatic Acting piece is about a married lesbian couple. Margaret has taken on a case defending a baker who denied service to another lesbian couple, which disappoints her wife, Lee Ann. Our piece is very emotional, and we’re excited to explore ways to engage the audience and hear judges’ feedback,” said Julia Strojny.
“Speech has taught me so much about perseverance and confidence. I learned to not take feedback and criticism personally but rather use it to improve and better express myself though the poetry I read,” said Mia Jacobson.
The tournament featured a variety of speech and interpretation events, including Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu, Special Occasion Speaking, Broadcasting, and multiple performance-based categories. Events range from research-driven speeches to fully memorized dramatic or comedic pieces, demonstrating the team’s versatility and dedication.
Students competed in three rounds before finals, giving both new and experienced members multiple opportunities to grow. Experienced members help new students by coaching during the week, practicing as much as possible, and setting the stage and blocking.
“Everyone worked so hard and their dedication really paid off. I’m very proud of our team for all the work they did to help set up and take down the tournament,” remarked Mrs. Paolella.
With multiple awards earned and strong showings across categories, the team continues to build momentum as they move into the rest of the competition season. Coaches and students alike expressed pride in the team’s growth, preparation, and commitment to excellence.