ROCHELLE — Valentine’s Day was especially sweet for the Rochelle Township High School speech team. The day before hearts and flowers day, the team competed in the IHSA Sectional competition, a 30-team semi-state contest, and finished in second place — including a pair of sectional championships.
Megan Thiravong bested the competition in Radio Speaking, also qualifying for the state tournament in Extemporaneous Speaking. The performance in the round cast is also a 2021 IHSA speech sectional champion.
Others qualifying for the state tournament include:
Faith Worthington, second in Impromptu Speaking and third place in Informative Speaking

Ava Coglianese, third place in Special Occasion Speaking as well as Original Comedy
Morgan Haas, third place in Oratorical Declamation
The performance in the round cast includes Heidi Cruz, Mateo Hughes, Jaela Ludwick, Bella Nauman and Jessica Nguyen.
The Hubs can also boast sectional finalists.
Paul Swartz placed fifth in Humorous Interpretation, Morgan Haas placed sixth in Oratory and Ariel Zuercher and Jenn Heinrich placed sixth in Dramatic Duet Acting.
Students competing in the state tournament will perform Feb. 19 and 20.