The DeKalb High School Forensics team has concluded one of its most successful seasons to date by capturing 10 th place at the 2008 IHSA State Finals.

Qualifying twenty-two students for state competition in eleven events, the DeKalb High School team traveled to Naperville’s Neuqua Valley High School for the two-day tournament on February 15-16th. At the conclusion of the contest, two DeKalb High School students had emerged as state finalists.

Mwongeli Masesi, junior, captured second-place honors in Original Oratory, the highest a DeKalb High School underclassman has placed at state since 1998.

Sam Crittenden, senior, became only the second double-state finalist DeKalb High School has had in the past twenty-one years, capturing fourth place in Extemporaneous Speaking and seventh place in Impromptu Speaking.

Other state qualifiers were seniors Jasmine McClain (Oratorical Declamation), Bryan Simpson (Humorous Duet Acting), and Kendalle Tanner (Dramatic Duet Acting); junior Gabe Kalal (Dramatic Duet Acting); and sophomores Will Collins (Humorous Duet Acting), Elliott Ihm (Radio Speaking), Kayla Kennedy (Prose Reading and Special Occasion Speaking), and Lauren Partch (Verse Reading).

Also qualifying for the state finals was the DeKalb High School Performance In the Round team, consisting of seniors Sarah Blackstone, Melissa Nodurft, Kevin Smith, Will Stafstrom, and Cameron Zelaya; Junior Colin Gorman; and Sophomores Amanda Cox, Kelsey DeSchepper, Peter Irving, Mackenzie Maeder, Kaleigh Sheahan, and Kelly Sullivan.

The team’s 10 th-place standing in state competition marked the 4 th top-ten finish for DeKalb High School in the past ten years. The 2007-2008 season also saw the DeKalb High School team capture its seventh consecutive regional championship, and its fourth consecutive conference and sectional crowns, amassing 222 individual medals and four tournament championships along the way.

The Forensics Team is coached by Mr. Greg Solomon, assisted by T.J. Fontana.

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