On October 29, Huntley High School hosted the Huntley Fall Festival, the first speech tournament of the 2016-2017 season.

A number of schools from around the area participated in this tournament including Cary-Grove, placing first, Shepard, placing second, Glenbard North, placing third, Prairie Ridge, placing fourth, with Grant Community High School placing fifth.

Although technically unable to place in a tournament they host, Huntley was still able to shine through the accomplishments of many individual students.

“I’m really proud of some of our novice members as well as our varsity members,” Speech coach Jim Wallace said. “We’ve got some people in events they had never been in before and it seems like [these events] will be really good fits for them.”

They had a very successful tournament with 13 of their members making finals in either one or two of their events.

Sophomores Allison Carmody and Faith Losbanes placed fourth in finals for Dramatic Duet Acting.

All team members on the team competing in Extemporaneous Speaking were able to make it into finals after their three preliminary rounds.

Junior Sarah Stolpe took fourth place, with senior Shamika Patil following close behind in fifth. Veronica Casey, a junior, placed sixth with sophomore Samia Desai following as a finalist.

In Humorous Duet Acting, partners Kate Urosevich and Marisa Bowman placed sixth.

Making his debut performance in Humorous Interpretation, Sam Moore was able to really shine, with his second place finish.

Mawa Iqbal and Favila made finals in Informative Speaking, placing third and sixth respectively.

Breaking into finals, Favila also placed in Original Comedy, taking fifth in that event.

Holding up the team in the event of Original Oratory, Marchadi took fifth with her first time breaking into finals.

Senior Palak Patel placed second in the event of Prose reading with Carmody following in sixth.

This tournament was a milestone for many people including returning members and one novice member.

Sophomores Sam Moore, Allison Carmody, Amanda Favila, and Harini Marchadi all made finals for the first time in their speech team careers, bringing confidence in the success of the team in the future.

“I love the fact that it’s a new beginning,” Moore said. “This is my first year on the varsity team, and being entered into 2 new events, it gives me a whole new perspective on what I can do.”

A strong start like this promises a successful 2016-17 season for the members of the team.

“I feel hopeful,” Wallace said. “I think that with some hard work, and if everyone remains dedicated, we can have a really strong rest of the season.”