For the first time in school history, Neuqua Speech returned from Peoria with an IHSA State Championship. There were four individual state champions, with senior April Zhang winning two titles: one in Extemporaneous Speaking and one in Original Oratory. “I started writing my oratory piece during winter break, and my main event is extemporaneous speaking, where you draw a question and get exactly thirty minutes to write, research, and memorize a seven-minute speech on the topic”
After a second-place finish at regionals and a third-place finish at sectionals, the team scored 32 points between the six members to beat out Downers Grove South and Homewood-Flossmoor for the title, but it did not come without some hardships. “I was quite nervous, since I was in two events I didn’t really get to watch anyone I was competing against… I will admit I left the final round of Extemporaneous in tears.” Zhang exclaimed
Even though she graduates at the end of the school year, Zhang was pleased to finish her career at Neuqua on a high note. “It was so fun getting to compete and spend time with my teammates. I’ve met so many cool people that I’ll miss so so much next year”
A huge congratulations to the team as a whole and to the following members for their performances:
April Zhang – 2x State Champion (Extemporaneous Speaking + Original Oratory)
Avaneesh Thiyagarajan – State Champion (Prose Reading)
Anurag Ghosh – State Champion (Special Occasion Speaking)
Meiling Sun – State Runner-Up (Impromptu Speaking)
Alyssa Shroff – Fourth Place (Informative Speaking)
Ben Mosshamer – State Qualifier (Original Comedy)
