Noonan Academy Competes in IESA Speech Competition

On Friday, November 1st, 2019, Noonan Elementary Academy competed in the annual IESA sponsored Speech Competition hosted by Martino Junior High in New Lenox. Here over two thundered and fifty schools split into groups across Illinois and had the wonderful opportunity to showcase their students’ communicative skills while competing in seven different categories: Original Script, Poetry, Regular Duet Acting, Small Group Acting, Solo Acting, and Team Improv.

Noonan Academy was proud to send seventy-four students to represent our program. There were 6 Individual Monologues, 15 Small Groups, 9 Duet, and 1 Improv. Twenty-eight events received 1st place and 3 events received 2nd place. The highest award that can be received by any group is a Judge’s Choice award; Noonan received 2 of these awards. Aidan Villasenor and Annie Villasenor were honored with the Judge’s Choice awards for their Individual Monologues. As always, the students had a wonderful time while competing at the highest level. Noonan Academy has a professional speech and drama program which fosters in all its participants, life skills that will pave the path of excellence throughout a student’s lifetime.

“As a principal, I believe the greatest gift that we can give a student is the confidence to participate in activities that surround their life,” said Joseph Dunn, Principal of Noonan Academy. “These life skills are practiced repeatedly until they become part of the student’s skill set that will be used in today’s increasingly information-centered world. Like all the arts, speech focuses on communication while responding to others in a creative forum.” Over 65 percent of the Noonan students participated in speech. “At Noonan, we are creating dynamic leaders of tomorrow who will have the ability to communicate effectively. Our Noonan leaders are participating in their path of excellence.”

Noonan Elementary Academy is an independent Catholic school in Mokena serving preschool through 8th grade. Noonan provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program that is academically challenging and personally supportive. Noonan is committed to developing the full potential of each student by fostering intellectual development, strong character formation, and spiritual growth. Scholarships are available; please contact Mr. Dunn, Principal of Noonan Elementary Academy, for more information.