Senior Owen Gainer will represent the RedHawk speech and acting team at the IHSA state finals this Saturday in Peoria after winning sectionals in humorous interpretation on Feb. 12. Gainer also won the category at regionals the week before.

“I’m obviously thrilled to have made it to state, but I wouldn’t have been able to advance if it wasn’t for the support and love of my teammates and coaches,” Gainer said.

Junior Kelly Stevens was regional champion in special occasion speaking, and Gainer and Stevens took second place in humorous duet acting. Also placing at regionals were junior Emma Fishback (third place-original oratory), senior Maureen Bradley (third place-poetry reading) and sophomores Kathleen Godsel and Addison McBride (fourth place- dramatic duet acting). McBride also took second place in dramatic interpretation.

The team placed fourth overall at regionals for the second year in a row.

Head coach Samantha Cullen reflected on how this season was significantly different as the team returned to performing live in front of the judges and their fellow competitors at tournaments.

“This is our first time competing in person in two years,” Cullen said. “Last year, we would upload videos and compete using Zoom. This was our most successful season in a while and I am happy because coming back to live competition was a big adjustment.”

Andrew Crisp, who looks forward to competingasaseniornextyear,reflected on the benefits of joining the team.

“Being on the team has provided me with a space to show my creativity,” Crisp said. “I am able to write my own pieces and perform them. It is a great environment and a fun place to be. The team helped me grow more confident and I would love to share this to help us gather more members by the time I graduate next year. I also hope to make it out of regionals next year.”