Lemont Speech Team Sent Four Qualifiers To State Finals

Lemont IL

22 February, 2022

2:35 PM

Description

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School's Speech Team advanced a program record four qualifiers to the 2022 IHSA Speech State Finals, which were contested on Feb. 18-19 at the Peoria Civic Center. All four students – senior Melissa Nunez (Impromptu Speaking), junior Elle Jeffress (Special Occasion Speaking), and sophomores Alana Nisperos (Informative Speaking) and Destina Sarussi (Dramatic Interpretation) – finished among the top ten in their respective categories, the school said in a release. Nunez tied for eighth in Impromptu Speaking, a category in which students provide an original expository oral presentation using their own content, format, style and thoughts. Jeffress placed ninth in Special Occasion Speaking. In this category, students present an original speech for a realistic situation for the purpose of entertaining an audience. Jeffress was making her second state finals appearance in as many years; she qualified in Poetry Reading in 2021, according to the school. Nisperos was ninth in Informative Speaking, a category in which students are given limited preparation time to select a topic and prepare to deliver an original speech indicating their knowledge of abstract ideas concerning an assigned topic. Sarussi tied for tenth in Dramatic Interpretation. In this category, students present literary material from a printed, published source. Lemont's contingent advanced to the state finals thanks to their performances at the IHSA Thornton Sectional, the school said. Jeffress, Nisperos and Nunez all finished as runners-up in their respective categories, while Sarussi placed third. Head coach Phil Lazzari's team has sent an entry to state finals competition in 10 of 14 seasons. Lemont captured its first-ever IHSA Regional title when it triumphed by one point at the IHSA Lemont Regional, the school said. Nisperos, Sarussi, and senior Aleksa Kirkus (Original Oratory) all were regional champions in their categories. Lemont advanced competitors to sectional competition in 14 of 15 events. Lazzari's team won its 13th straight South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title this season. Jeffress (Special Occasion Speaking), Nisperos (Informative Speaking) and Sarussi (Dramatic Interpretation) all were SSC champions.