On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, Noonan Elementary Academy competed in the annual IESA sponsored Speech Competition hosted by Homer Glen Junior High in Homer Glen. Here one hundred and sixty 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 Improve.
Noonan Academy was proud to send fourteen students to represent our program, three Small Groups, and one Duet. Fifth graders Anthony Holuj, Matthew Krutul, and Santino Valentini took 1st Place and earned a Judges Choice Award for their small group with “Le Café International”. 7th graders Kseniia Iatsenko, Emmaline Mueller, Graysen Pionke, and Amelia Welch took 1st Place and earned a Judges Choice Award for their small group with “Channel Surfers”. Eighth graders Ryder Doty, Vincent Grazianni, Antonio Gutierrez de Velasco, Zachary Hudek, and Mariano Valentini took 1st place with their small group, and eighth graders Genevieve McCarty and Eman Sweis took first place with their duet.
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 all its participants life skills that will pave the path of excellence throughout a student’s lifetime.
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Like all the arts, speech focuses on communication while responding to others in a creative forum,” 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. At Noonan, we are creating dynamic leaders of tomorrow who will have the ability to communicate effectively. 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. 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 or visit their website at www.noonanacademy.org
