After its success at Regionals, the Speech Team is heading to Sectionals in Peoria this Feb. 15.

“We’ve been working towards Sectionals and State all year,” said head coach Nancy Schultz. “Starting in November, we’ve had tournaments every Saturday, and the students are coached at least once a week.”

The top four orators at Regionals, seniors Noah Eisfelder, Ben Moberly and Harold Myers and junior Gayle Stamos, advanced on to Sectionals.

The top three orators at Sectionals could move on to State.

Prior to Regionals, the team did well placing third in the Hersey Midwinter Tournament on Jan. 25.

At Regionals, Evanston’s Harold Myers came in first for Impromptu Speaking, and others students came in second and third for their other events in Extemporaneous Speaking, Declamation and Humorous Interpretation, Prose Reading and Impromptu and radio speaking.

According to Moberly, the season is     going differently than expected.

“We came into the season not expecting a whole lot,” said Moberly. “Last year all but one person made it to Sectionals, but a lot of people left us. It’s a new team this year but we have been doing well.”

While majority of the events use the same speeches all year, team captain and senior Ben Moberly competes in Extemporaneous Speaking, where he creates new speeches using recent news and current events.

“There’s only about six or seven events where you make your own speeches,” said Moberly. “I wouldn’t say that this event is harder, but you need to really enjoy current events.”

“Most of the North Shore schools compete with us. We’re in one of the most competitive areas in the state,” added Schultz.

Sophomore Annie Bouchet explained that Prospect Heights is “definitely the biggest competitor.”

“One of our goals for this year’s   Sectionals and is to win one of the team awards,” said Schultz. Team awards are decided after all individual points from a school are added up.

“I think that everyone on this team is capable of doing well,” concluded said.