Norris City Alum Leads SIC Forensic Falcons to Triumph at Moraine Valley Speech Tournament

Southeastern Illinois College’s Forensic Falcons were named Community College Champions this weekend at the Moraine Valley Appelquist Speech Tournament in Palos Hills, Illinois. The Falcons earned top school honors and several individual awards at the event, which featured entries in public address, interpretation, and limited preparation. Twenty-five colleges and universities from as far away as Oregon and California competed at Moraine.

Norris City’s Rachel Russell was among the students competing at this weekend’s tournament. She notes, “It was incredibly exciting – and nerve-wracking – but mostly exciting. And it was worth the hard work.”

Coach Jenny Billman agrees. “It’s rewarding to see our students shine after they have worked hard. I am so proud!”

Each competition builds to the 2024 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Reno, Nevada.  The team is coached by Jenny Billman, Paul Cummins, and Rachel Parish.

Individual results from the tournament are as follows.

Grant Dooley, Harrisburg: 1^st in open communication analysis, 2^nd in cross squad improvisation, 3^rd in open duo interpretation, 3^rd in overall individual sweepstakes.

Bradlee Thomas, Harrisburg: 1^st in open dramatic interpretation, 1^st in novice speech to entertain, 2^nd in open duo interpretation (with partner Erica Johnson), 4^th in overall individual sweepstakes.

Rachel Russell, Norris City: 1^st in novice dramatic interpretation, 4^th in open duo interpretation (with partner Brock Newman), 4^th in novice informative speaking, 5^th in open prose interpretation.

Brock Newman, Eldorado: 1^st in open prose interpretation, 4^th in open duo interpretation (with partner Rachel Russell).

Abby Zirkelbach, Marion: 1^st in open speech to entertain.

Neva Wasson, Harrisburg: 2^nd in open prose interpretation, 2^nd in novice speech to entertain, 3^rd in open duo interpretation (with partner Grant Dooley), 6th in open dramatic interpretation.

Erica Johnson, Equality: 2^nd in open duo interpretation (with partner Bradlee Thomas), 2^nd in open poetry.

Connor Fauset, Benton: 2^nd in open communication analysis, 3^rd in open prose interpretation.

Ethan Bordoy, Harrisburg: 3^rd in open communication analysis, 3^rd in open speech to entertain.

Carter Wiseman, Galatia: 3^rd in novice impromptu speaking, 6^th in open persuasive speaking.

Also competing: Emily Ross (Marion) and Hayden Moore (Ridgway).