Southland College Prep Speech Team Continues Traditional March

Southland College Prep Charter High School Sophomores Christian Boyd and Nina Washington placed first in the “Dramatic Duet Acting” event Saturday, February 5th seizing the moment in their first “in person” competition after joining the team as freshman during the year of virtual events.

Boyd topped the field solo in the “Radio Speaking” event to help lead Southland to fourth place in the Lemont regional of the Illinois High School Association 2022 State Speech Championship tournament and advance to Saturday's Sectionals at Thornton High School.

“These two students have continued the Southland College Prep Speech team’s tradition of performing extraordinarily well in IHSA events with a command of dramatic expression and exact articulation,” said Cheryl Frazier, Southland’s head speech coach, assisted by Malik Bibby. “This was there first time competing in person and they will continue on this road of excellence in the coming days of competition.”

Southland advances in state competition in eight events, including the unique Performance in the Round, a unique event, exclusive to the IHSA, in which a small group of student performers complete an interpretation of a script in a finite circular performance area with student direction as vital as student performance.

This year’s student participants advancing include: student directors sophomore Jayla Martin and freshman Kylee Grant; senior cast member Diamond Hutton; sophomores Myka Moore, Makiera Stuckey, Anthony House; freshmen Asiah Lee, Rain Coleman, Angelique Hall, Acacia Morton, Jacob Smith and Jeremiah Smith.

Others who contributed to the 4th place finish at Lemont and joining Boyd and Washington in individual events are:

· Senior De’ja Matttison and sophomore Chaniya Rivera in Humorous Duet acting, 4th place

· Chaniya Rivera in Dramatic Interpretation, 3rd place

· Junior Ashley Cooper in Original Comedy, 4th place

· Sophomore, Nehemia James in Impromptu Speaking, 4th place

· Freshman Kaiden Rice in Humorous Interpretation, 4th place

· Freshman Itohan Salami in Original Oratory, 3rd place

“We’re so very proud of the achievements of these young Southland College Prep speech team members, especially as they continue to maintain their grades in a rigorous college prep curriculum, “said Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, CEO.

“Mrs. Frazier draws explosive performances from our young people, who then carry those skills into adulthood.”