Troy Speech Team Gets High Honors at State Competition

Submitted by Troy School District 30-C

Photo 1: Troy Middle School students who received Judges’ Choice awards at the IESA Speech State Competition are, top row from left, (Assistant Coach Shari Pagel), Sarah Babyak, Kathryn Epling, Delaney Peter, Paige Minor, Mary Dixon, ( Coach Wayne Barry).Bottom from left: Louisa Schwab, Melina Medina, Juliana Byrne, Joie Egizio, Jemma Newby, Kierra Posteluk.

Photo 2: William B. Orenic Intermediate School students who received Judges’ Choice awards at the IESA Speech State Competition are, top row from left, Tiffany Trizna, Sophie Young, (Coach Joe Ryan). Bottom from left: Josianna Newby, Etta Sklar, Liza Junaidi.

The Troy Speech Team garnered several Judges’ Choice awards and First Place awards at state competition last month. The 40 Troy Middle School students and 25 William B. Orenic Intermediate School students joined other grade school teams from Morris, Channahon, Crest Hill, Joliet, Millbrook, Minooka and Newark for the Illinois Elementary School Association Speech State Competition, State Area 2, held at Immaculate Conception School in Morris.

Judges’ Choice Awards went to William B. Orenic students Tiffany Trizna and Sofie Young for the category of Duet Acting; Liza Junaidi for Solo Acting; and Josianna Newby, Etta Sklar, Tiffnay Trizna and Sofie Young for Team Improv.

Troy Middle School students who received Judges’ Choice Awards were Louisa Schwab for Original Script – Individual; Kathryn Epling and Melina Medina for Duet Acting; Sarah Babyak and Joie Egizio for Duet Acting; Kierra Posteluk, Julianna Byrne, Paige Minor and Delaney Peter, each for Solo Acting; and Mary Dixon, Jemma Newby, Kierra Posteluk and Louisa Schwab for the category of Team Improv.

WBO Speech Team Coach Joseph Ryan and TMS Coach Wayne Barry said they were proud of their students doing so well at the competition.

“Our students did a great job representing Troy,” Ryan said. “We had an amazing season, and I am truly thankful to have worked with such a talented group of young actors.”

“I was really proud of what our students were able to accomplish at the IESA State Speech Contest,” Barry said. “A special congratulations to Kierra Posteluk who now has received 5 Judges Choice Awards. Another special congratulations goes out to Delaney Peter who won her third Judge’s Choice Award.”

Troy teacher Shari Pagel is also Speech Team Coach.