LCHS speech team members advanced to finals in 10 events Saturday in Bloomington: (front) Matthew Langdon and Wyatt Phillis, champions in humorous duet acting; (back) Sara Shane, champion of radio speaking and sixth in oratorical declamation; Grace Sheley, fourth in prose; Tegan Follis, third in poetry; Jacqueline Keysear, JV champion in oratorical declamation, fifth in dramatic duet acting with Madison Bishop and eighth in impromptu; and Kendall Katz, seventh in humorous interpretation and eighth in poetry.

LCHS speech team places 6th in 'Princesses of Speech' tournament [December 04, 2012]  BLOOMINGTON -- The Lincoln Community High School speech team placed sixth overall at Bloomington High School's "Princesses of Speech" tournament Saturday. The 16-member team had 10 events break into the final rounds during competition and claimed three events as tournament champions. Varsity champions were senior Wyatt Phillis and junior Matthew Langdon in humorous duet acting and senior Sara Shane in radio speaking. Senior Jacqueline Keysear was the junior varsity champion in oratorical declamation.

Varsity champions were senior Wyatt Phillis and junior Matthew Langdon in humorous duet acting and senior Sara Shane in radio speaking. Senior Jacqueline Keysear was the junior varsity champion in oratorical declamation.

Other medalists were senior Tegan Follis, third in poetry; senior Grace Sheley, fourth in prose reading; senior Kendall Katz, seventh in humorous duet acting and eighth in poetry; and Shane, sixth in declamation.

Junior varsity member Madison Bishop competed so well this weekend that she advanced to the varsity finals in both her events. With Keysear, she placed fifth in varsity dramatic duet acting, and individually she placed eighth in varsity impromptu speaking.

"Several of the team members were trying out new material this weekend, and many saw their hard work pay off," said head coach Jennifer Keith.

"I expect to see students from all schools revising, improving, and I would love to see more of our team get into the medal competitions," she continued, "but taking home three champions was truly exciting."

The LCHS speech team will compete Dec. 8 at Normal Community before taking almost a month off due to finals and Christmas break, but that break will not be all relaxation.

"Several of our own kids will be selecting new pieces to start fresh in 2013," said Keith. "It's always fun to try to begin anew in the new year."

[Text from file received from Jennifer Keith, Lincoln Community High School]