Eisenhower speech junior is school’s third state champion

Eisenhower High School junior Sophia Gulmatovas became the third state champion in the history of the Blue Island school’s speech program when she took first place in original oratory at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Speech Individual Events State Final last weekend.

Eisenhower’s first-ever state champion was her coach. Assistant speech coach and social studies teacher Akire Hawkins won for impromptu speaking in 2016. She said it’s a great feeling to pay it forward to the next generation of students.

“When I did speech, it had a huge impact on my life trajectory and being able to develop my own voice,” Hawkins said. “It’s a great feeling to help these bright students get to that next level.”

“It’s like history repeating itself almost 10 years later,” said Eisenhower speech head coach Mark Urban, who coached Hawkins before she joined him as a coach in 2021.

Gulmatovas wasn’t Eisenhower’s only state finalist. Junior Akira Manning competed in two events. She placed fifth in poetry reading and sixth in prose reading. It was her first time ever competing in an IHSA state final.

Gulmatovas is now working to compete at the national level. If she finishes in the top three on March 8 in the National Qualifier Speech Tournament at Downers Grove South High School, then she’ll head to Des Moines, Iowa in June for the National Speech & Debate Tournament.

She competed last year in the National Speech & Debate Association’s marquee event. Urban said Gulmatovas is in a good position to return to the national stage this year.

The speech Gulmatovas gave at the IHSA state final was personal. It was a speech she had worked on with her coaches for months. The topic was inspiration exploitation, and she gave the speech in support of her 12-year-old sister Ava, who was diagnosed in 2020 with a rare genetic mutation called CTNNB1 Syndrome. Ava is confined to a wheelchair and does not have the ability to speak.

Gulmatovas became her little sister’s voice.

“I’m sure that you’re all expecting an inspiring story about perseverance and bravery. You would be wrong,” Gulmatovas’ speech began. “This is not a speech about Ava. This is a story about the depiction of my little sister and others like her.”

You can watch Gulmatovas’ full speech on the District 218 News and Highlights YouTube channel.

“We shouldn’t look at people with disabilities as objects of inspiration,” Gulmatovas said. “We should look at them as people because that’s what they are.”

Her speech resonated with the audience and the community. Parents of children with disabilities thanked her. Teachers she didn’t know congratulated her on her winning performance. Other speech coaches said Gulmatovas’ words moved them.

“I’m saying what needs to be said,” Gulmatovas said. “I’m bringing up a point that a lot of people aren’t bringing up. I hope I’m doing some good.”

Gulmatovas wrote the speech in June, long before her coaches usually begin to brainstorm topics and develop an outline. The Eisenhower speech team practices three to five times a week beginning in October.

Months of preparation before placing at state

The coaches work with students to find moments of levity, gesticulation, and relatability so that the speeches connect with the audience. They also ensure speeches are limited to the appropriate time constraints. Speeches are edited based on feedback from previous tournaments.

“It’s definitely an ongoing process where you’re constantly evaluating your message and how to best articulate it,” Hawkins said. “You need to make the speech feel natural and inviting, like it’s the first time you’re saying it. You’re constantly revamping it to make it as stellar as possible.”

When Eisenhower junior Akira Manning joined the speech team last year, she didn’t expect to become proficient as quickly as she has been in prose reading and poetry reading. Now a state finalist in both areas, she’s looking forward to challenging herself next year.

“Honestly, I’m very surprised that since this is my first time [at state] and only my second year [in speech], and I made it into the finals for both,” she said. “It was a great learning experience.”

For her events, Manning had to read a collection of poems and combine it into one story. She also had to read a book with one story and be its storyteller.

Supporting students throughout their educational journeys

Eisenhower High School plans to celebrate its speech state finalists with a parade on Friday. They’ll also be recognized on March 20 during the Community High School District 218 board meeting.

Atwood Heights School District 125 honored Gulmatovas’ state championship during its last board meeting on Tuesday. Gulmatovas attended Lawn Manor Primary Center for elementary school and Hamlin Upper Grade Center for middle school. Gulmatovas was also a member of Hamlin’s speech team.

Teachers and staff of Lawn Manor Primary Center still vividly remember Gulmatovas. In kindergarten, she confidently stood atop a chair to correct everyone on how to pronounce her last name. At the end of second grade, she crafted and delivered a goodbye speech to her classmates.

They knew then that Gulmatovas had a bright future ahead.

"It was obvious way back then that Sophia belonged on a stage," said Amy Golon, who taught Gulmatovas in first and second grades. "As a teacher, I love seeing the paths that my students take, and their success brings me joy. Sophia is a star, and I’m excited to see what her future holds."