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			 Tanner and McCray earned a 3rd place in HDA at the Sectional 
			tournament at Normal Community West High School Saturday; the top 
			three finishers move to the State tournament. 
			 
			"Braden and Zac went to state last year as sophomores but their 
			first year on the team," said head coach Jennifer Keith. "They have 
			grown so much as performers and captains this year, and although we 
			were heartbroken more did not advance, I'm so grateful for this 
			opportunity for these two young men to show off their talents at the 
			State tournament again this year." 
			
			  
			 
			Sectional finalists who did not advance to state were Tanner and 
			freshman Justin Woods, 5th in Dramatic Duet Acting, and sophomore 
			Claire Conrady, 6th in Original Comedy. 
			 
			"With only one sectional in the entire central and southern Illinois 
			region and five in the top half of the state," Keith continued, "we 
			look at this Sectional as a state tournament in itself. Tremendous 
			competition from such talent students in our area and east, west and 
			south." 
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			  Tanner and McCray will compete once Friday afternoon with the 
				top 19 other finalists in the state with three judges, and again 
				sometime Saturday morning with a different three judges. Then 
				the top six students will "break" into the final round, becoming 
				State Finalists, and perform once more for a new panel of five 
				judges. The State Champion then performs once crowned for 
				his/her peers in a 3-hour award ceremony Saturday evening.  
			[LCHS Speech Coach Jennifer Keith] 
			  
			
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