HEHS Speech Team has another victorious season with many students making their way to the IHSA state competition, including Beya Dela Cruz and Max Jasso, who both went on to win state medals.
Qualifying for the state was a dream that Dela Cruz had been working towards since her freshman year.
“Making it to state has been my objective since my freshman year,” said Dela Cruz, junior. “This has taught me how much you can accomplish through hard work and determination.”
Dela Cruz’s three-year experience as a member of the team has enabled her to hone her speaking abilities, allowing her to project confidence, clarity, and connection with her audience. Nevertheless, this process had its share of obstacles.
“Maintaining that positive mindset was what was most difficult for me,” she said. “I was really struggling with my confidence and trust in myself as being able to compete at that level.”
Naz Ahmed, head coach, believes that preparing for state is not limited to just memorization but rather entails much more, such as flexibility and precision. Dela Cruz participated in the event known as Special Occasion Speaking, which combines humor and persuasion skills.
“It is an old-fashioned speech but it should be real, believable, and based on research,” said Ahmed. “You must present something complicated in a simple way.”
The speech by Dela Cruz centered around problems that her peers were facing, especially the problem of having no life skills, such as how to cook and clean. Using both humor and persuasion, she persuaded the audience of the need for doing something about this issue.
Prior to the state competition, preparation was focused mainly on perfecting the acts. The students rehearsed many times while getting constructive criticism from various angles. They received feedback from coaches, graduates, and even guest judges.
“This is called panel coaching where we try our best to give them multiple and nuanced feedback,” said Ahmed. “This is the closest thing they will get to the judging panel that they are going to face at the state level.”
For Dela Cruz, confidence became the key to her triumph.
“I realized once I gained confidence that I wanted to be the best me possible,” she said. “Then, I finally started getting results I never even thought would happen before.”
Dela Cruz learned more from competing at the state level than just receiving an award.
“It has taught me about my event, different ways to speak, and how to learn from other performers,” she said.
Their success lies in the diversity of the events in the speech competitions. Though Dela Cruz participated in a persuasive speaking contest, Jasso participated in Original Comedy, which involves acting and requires the competitor to assume various characters by changing their voices and movements.
“Lots of back-and-forth coaching,” Ahmed said. “We continue to work on the ideas until we know why it is funny and how to develop the character.”
Regardless of their different events, all the contestants undergo a similar experience, which involves lots of repetition and attention to details.
As the season comes to an end, Dela Cruz wishes that her story will encourage others to chase their dreams without comparing themselves with other people.
“I would like to advise [you] not to compare yourself with other people,” she said. “Just keep in mind that you are worthy of all the things you achieve in life.”
HEHS Speech Team members are not only state qualifiers and medalists but also living proof that diligence, teamwork, and self-confidence go a long way.
