Ten students are heading to ISSDA State Speech Tournament on Mar. 11  at Fishers High School after placing second place at sectionals out of a total of 16 entries. Halle VanCuren advanced as the champion of the Informative event as well as fifth in Radio. Luna Tafolla advanced as the champion of the Declamation event and third for Programmed Oral Interpretation. 

Other students advancing to state are Celeste Gomez for Informative and Declamation, Saylor McClain, Moo Paw and Nick Todd for Discussion, Jennifer Anaya-Serrano for the United States  Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu, Emily Sanchez for Original Performance, Jasmine Zimmerman for International Extemporaneous, and Brooklyn Harris and Carrisa Dawson for Poetry and Prose.

“I was extremely proud of myself and excited to win first place in Info,” VanCuren said. “It’s an amazing way to end my last sectional tournament and head into state.”

The Speech Team started its season in October, mostly competing in January and  February in numerous types of events, including dramatic, formal, impromptu, and discussions. VanCuren’s Informative was a 10-minute memorized speech about voting rights performed in front of judges. Tafolla’s Declamation was over a TedX Presentation by  NBC Correspondent Mariana Atencio.

“It was amazing to win Declamation champ,” Tafolla said. “I hoped to be a sectional champion in at least one event and my dream came true.”