The Speech team won four individual events on its way to winning the IHSFA Division 3A state championship this past weekend in Indianapolis. Seniors Adam Potrzebowski, Tyler Fabbri, and Hayley Miller were state champions in impromptu speaking, domestic extemporaneous speaking, and original oratory, respectively. They were joined by junior Dakota McCoy who won broadcasting. Fabbri also won the coveted James F. Hawker Memorial Award and Scholarship for division 3 – the speech and debate version of a Trester Award.

In addition to winning impromptu, Potrzebowski was third in international extemporaneous speaking, to lead the team in sweepstakes points. Fabbri also placed sixth in original oratory, and Miller was a semifinalist (placing in the top 18) in declamation.

This is the team’s twenty-third state speech title. In division 3A Chesterton finished ahead of second place Warren Central, Fishers in third, Ft. Wayne Northrop in fourth, and Ben Davis in fifth. Rival Munster High School won the Ralph Lawson Memorial Award for the top score in all three IHSFA divisions. They accumulated just six more points than CHS. Munster was the IHSFA Division 2A champs, and Culver Academies was the IHSFA Division 1A state champ. Divisions are determined by school enrollment – 3 large schools etc. For the third time in four years, all three divisions were won by teams from section one (one of the seven sectionals in the state).

In domestic extemporaneous speaking as well as broadcasting, the team placed three students in the final rounds of six. In domestic extemporaneous Megan Adamczewski finished second to Fabbri, and was followed by fellow senior Kira Geairn who placed fifth. Sophomore Mike Leopold finished third in broadcasting, and he was followed by teammate Latham Sullivan (11) who was fifth. Adamczewski was also a semifinalist in impromptu.

Senior Syed Shah placed in two events, finishing fourth in both international extemporaneous speaking and impromptu. Senior Christian Parroco was also a finalist, finishing sixth in discussion.

The team also had several others advance to semifinals and earn points for the team. Senior Matt Keeley was a semifinalist in both drama and memorized duo; junior Leah Dujmovich was Keeley’s partner in duo. In scripted duo juniors Colleen O’Keefe and Conor Livingston were semifinalists.

Luke Morgan (12) and Robert Conrick (11) were semifinalists in original performance, and juniors Kara Fasone and Jessica Cleary were semifinalists in humor. A few of the team’s semifinalists actually tied with finalists but did not advance due to a tie-breaking process.

“This has been a great group to work with all season long. I know I speak for all of the coaches when I say we couldn’t be prouder. This team has a great work ethic and attitude and they deserve to be champions,” said Coach Bob Kelly.

Coaches Kelly, Chris Lowery, Doug Pishkur, Scott Woodhouse, Kirsten Reed and Kayla Fleming accompanied the team. They were joined by Amy Lowery, Christine Woodhouse, and former students Josh McClain and Greg Lanter, who helped with judging.

Posted 3/22/2010