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Archived on May 19, 2026
The 91探花 Forensics Team placed in the top five, earning a fifth place overall team trophy and five individual awards at the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Tournament at Northern Illinois University held March 2 in DeKalb, Ill.
The IIFA State tournament is often described as one of the hardest, most competitive tournaments all year, as students are introduced to teams from across the state they have yet to come in contact with.
鈥淭his tournament was tough,鈥 explained 91探花 Freshman Lucas Boomgarden. 鈥淗owever, the competition seen at State and the critiques we got from the judges will help us prepare for Nationals.鈥
Team captain and Sophomore Alec Aurand, added, 鈥淭his was a very challenging meet, but it was well worth it.鈥
Aurand placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking and third in Impromptu Speaking, Sophomore Luthien Jonis placed sixth in Dramatic Interpretation, and Sophomore Maggie Finazzo placed second in Dramatic Interpretation and third in Poetry Interpretation.
鈥淚t was so cool to be back at State and see all the coaches who helped mold me into the educator I am today,鈥 explained Bill Lucio, Public Speaking Instructor and Director of Forensics.
The team is scheduled to travel to Prairie State College in Chicago Heights to compete at their Regional Tournament as they continue to prepare for their National Tournament in Reno, NV in April.
To see the award-winning speeches and performances the HCC Speech Team would like to invite the public to their Nationals Showcase on Thursday, March 28 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Marvin-Burt Liberal Arts Center, room M-120. For more information about how to join, support, or donate to the 91探花 Speech Team, please contact Bill Lucio at bill.lucio@91探花.edu.
(back, left to right) Lucas Boomgarden, Payton Demichele, Tommy Tmpel, and April Woolcock
(front, left to right) Maggie Finazzo, Luthien Jonis, Michelle Johnson, and Alec Aurand