Speech Team Wins Regional Title

The Belleville West Speech and Acting Team won the 2023 IHSA Regional at Glenwood High School on Saturday, February 4.  The team will advance all events to next weekend’s IHSA Sectional Contest.

The following students earned individual awards:

Jerry Aplin – first place in Radio Speaking

Jerry Aplin and Eric Perschbacher – first place in Humorous Duet Acting

Brock Becker and Ryann Gordon – first place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Wini James – first place in Dramatic Interpretation

Wini James – first place in Poetry Reading

Sydni Juhas – first place in Informational Speaking

Peyton Long – first place in Original Comedy

Lukas Pellmann – first place in Special Occasion Speaking

Eric Perschbacher – first place in Extemporaneous Speaking

Maria Raza – first place in Original Oratory

Lucy Wilson – first place in Poetry Reading

Brock Becker – second place in Humorous Interpretation

Lucy Wilson – second place in Oratorical Declamation

Maria Raza – fourth place in Impromptu Speaking

In addition, the Performance in the Round cast took first place in their event and will advance to next weekend’s sectional.

The speech team coaches are Mr. Adam Jenkins, Mr. Tyler Herron, Ms. Anna Kurtz, Mr. Russ Reidelberger, and Mrs. Leigh Reidelberger.

Harambee Presents “Stepping into a Different World” Next Wednesday

Belleville West Harambee will present its annual show for Black History Month next Wednesday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m.  The show—which features music, dramatic performances, and dance—is a celebration of African-American history and culture.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, students, and senior citizens.  The Harambee adviser is English teacher Ms. Carnetta Chalmers.

Little Theatre Presents 2023 Children’s Play this Week

Belleville West Little Theatre presents Matilda, Jr. this Thursday and Friday, January 26 and 27, in the BW Performing Arts Center.  Curtain time is 6:30 p.m.  Doors open at 6:00.  Advance tickets are available for purchase online.

Speech Students Finish Regular Season with Another Successful Tournament

The Belleville West Speech and Acting Team claimed second place at the Belleville West SISAL Tournament on Saturday, January 21.

The following students won individual awards in the varsity division:

Jerry Aplin and Eric Perschbacher – first place in Humorous Duet Acting

Jerry Aplin – second place in Radio Speaking

William Bazar and Sydni Juhas – second place in Humorous Duet Acting

Wini James – second place in Dramatic Interpretation

Wini James – second place in Prose Reading

Maria Raza – second place in Original Oratory

Lucy Wilson – second place in Oratorical Declamation

Zaria Houston – third place in Oratorical Declamation

Avita Hall – fourth place in Dramatic Interpretation

Peyton Long – fourth place in Original Comedy

Lucy Wilson – fourth place in Prose Reading

Natalie Hall and Eleanor Schmitz – fifth place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Ryann Gordon – sixth place in Dramatic Interpretation

Mia Kramer – sixth place in Radio Speaking

Sylvi Segraves and Zoe Wallis – sixth place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Kailee Williams – sixth place in Prose Reading

Brock Becker – seventh place in Humorous Interpretation

Avita Hall – seventh place in Special Occasion Speaking

Maria Raza – seventh place in Impromptu Speaking

Sylvi Segraves – seventh place in Radio Speaking

LaImani Silas – seventh place in Poetry Reading

Zoe Walklis – seventh place in Prose Reading

The following student won an individual award in the next-in finals in the varsity division:

Lizzy Schauster – second place in Prose Reading

The following students won individual awards in the junior varsity division:

Trevor Curtis – first place in Original Comedy

Natalie Hall – first place in Original Oratory

Zaria Houston and LaImani Silas – first place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Jordyn Struense – first place in Special Occasion Speaking

Ayla Christian – second place in Poetry Reading

Trevor Curtis and Katie Kammann – second place in Humorous Duet Acting

Chloe Dietz – second place in Radio Speaking

Peyton Long – third place in Dramatic Interpretation

Teona Mosley – third place in Oratorical Declamation

Mouna Seck and Kailee Williams – third place in Humorous Duet Acting

Elda Thacker – third place in Humorous Interpretation

Eleanor Schmitz – fourth place in Informative Speaking

Mouna Seck and Covina Ward – fourth place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Jordyn Struense – fourth place in Poetry Reading

The speech team coaches are Mr. Adam Jenkins, Mr. Tyler Herron, Ms. Anna Kurtz, Mr. Russ Reidelberger, and Mrs. Leigh Reidelberger.