Junior Anya Azara, co-captain of the Speech Team at South, finished 13th in the IHSA State Speech competition. 

[Azara] had placed first at regionals allowing her to advance to sectionals and finals, Nancy Stickels, Speech Team Head Coach said. competition. Azara competed in acting events and performed a memoir called Grace Street.  

“Making it as far as I did, was insane [and] it felt amazing,” Azara said. “Being able to see all the hard work I’ve put in this season, and seeing how far it took me was amazing.”

It’s a huge accomplishment for any student to qualify and compete in the state tournaments, Stickels said. 

“When you’ve qualified for state, there’s only so much more you can do,” Stickels said. “We also wanted to just enjoy the experience.”