Three LHS Students Qualify For IHSA Speech State Finals

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School’s speech team has matched a program single-season record by qualifying three students for state finals competition. At the IHSA Reavis Sectional Feb. 15, senior Reema Dhawan (Special Occasion Speaking) became just the second sectional champion in program history, while juniors Nour Longi (Original Oratory) and Lauren Rearden (Humorous Interpretation) placed third in their respective categories, the school said.

Each will make her state finals debut at the 2020 IHSA Speech State Finals, which will be contested Friday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Peoria Civic Center.

Lemont has qualified at least one student for state finals competition in eight of the last 12 seasons, the school said. Head coach Phil Lazzari’s team first had three state qualifiers in one season in 2017.

The school said Dhawan took home top honors in Special Occasion Speaking with her entry, “My Sel-FISH Decision.” In Special Occasion Speaking, students present an original speech for a realistic situation for the purpose of entertaining an audience.

Longi’s entry, “Be the change.” won third place in Original Oratory. In this category, students present an original persuasive speech.

Rearden tied for third in Humorous Interpretation with her entry, “Sleepover from Hell.” In Humorous Interpretation, students present literary material from a printed, published source that meets high standards for good literature.

The school said Lazzari’s team won its 11th straight South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title this season, with first place efforts from Dhawan in Special Occasion Speaking and Longi in Radio Speaking.