LCHS "Meet the Speechies" a night of drama, charm, informative, introspection and laughs

[February 10, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Lincoln Community High School auditorium stage came alive on Thursday evening. LCHS Speech Team coaches hosted "Meet the Speechies" performance night.

Students who make up the 2015 Regional Team provided an array of performances before an audience.

The evening opened with Dramatic Interpretation - "Wit" performed by sophomore Claire Conrady. Next was a Speaking and Oratorical Declamation - "What's so funny about mental illness?" by sophomore Belle Smith.

Several performances lent directed reflections on life. For a Special Occasion Speaking - "Judgment Day" was delivered by junior McKenzie Landers. Her performance was followed by a Poetry Reading - "Thanking my mother for piano lessons" wistful regrets by junior Lena Stapleton; and then Landers returned to the stage to present her Prose Reading, a gritty life story from "Where the heart is."

Next, junior Braden Tanner and freshman Justin Woods took the stage for a Dramatic Duet Acting performance of "Confessions from the afterlife," an emotional examination by two young men wrestling with their sense of right or wrong about being gay.

Sophomore Reagen Tibbs showed his poise and skill in Extemporaneous Speaking on a current event. Tibbs was followed sophomore Caleb White, who took a controlled moment at the mike as a news broadcaster delivering today's news and bringing a chuckle during his effortless shift for a light-hearted commercial spot and then returning to the news on a serious note.

After the news, life's normalcy seemingly had returned. But that illusion didn't last long, as animated, gregarious junior Zac McCray delivered in full color - "The complete history of America (Abridged)" as Humorous Interpretation. Who would have thought history could be that fun to observe as told.

In a return to realism, sophomore Bell Smith spoke on - "Dying with dignity," an Informative Speaking and Oratorical Declamation. And, sophomore Jake Berglin gave his Original Oratory - "More than just a game."

After an evening of performances that were often serious introspect, the evening performances were concluded in amusement. Conrady returned to the stage to deliver her Original Comedy, "Icebox blues. She was followed by a duo of Braden Tanner and Zac McCray tickling of the funny bone for a - Humorous Duet Acting in a performance of "The producers."

Also assisting the regional team were speech team members - Colton Clark and Zak Luken, and timer - Isabelle Robbins.

The students drew upon a wide range of skills and emotions in their performances. The intent of some was to examine current issues and social matters of everyday life; other performances were intended to prompt self-examination, some were intended to deliver information, and still others aimed to make us forget and laugh. Each was successful and the evening provided great entertainment.

Head coach Jennifer Keith is taking this dynamic Lincoln team to the Regional competition, which is being held today, Saturday, at Normal University High School. Also working with the students are Wyatt Phillis and Betsy Buttell.

Keith hopes their talents and dedication will be rewarded, and that they might even come home with a few IHSA metals.

LDN wishes each and everyone well, they are all the best.

[Jan Youngquist]