Oak Lawn Spartans Earn Multiple Medals In IHSA Speech Finals

OAK LAWN, IL — The Oak Lawn Community High School speech team advanced in seven of the events, with four making finals, this past weekend at the IHSA Speech Finals at the Peoria Civic Center.

In all, 20 Spartans participated in the state competition, after winning the sectional. The team was coached by Mike Olsson.

Mariana Salazar placed second in the state for original oratory. Placing sixth in dramatic duet acting were Mariam Chuli and Melanie Cabrera. Emma Mathews also came in sixth for radio speaking.

Oak Lawn Community High School's performance-in-the round team placed fourth in state with the work, “To Sleep With The Angels.” Richards High School's PIR team won second.

Layla Nemri was next out of the final, placing seventh in the state for extemporaneous speaking. Orlando Ramirez placed tenth in the state in the original comedy category, and Maya Quinonez placed eleventh in prose reading.

“State was a little scary yet so rewarding,” junior Mariana Salazar said. “Even being so far from home, I still felt very much at home. It felt incredible being able to compete with a speech I felt so strongly about and sharing that with others. So happy that my coach, Mr. Olsson, was able to help me on this amazing journey. I can’t wait to do it all over again one last time next year, knock on wood.”