Illinois H.S.toric

Writing a chronicle of IHSA speech, drama, and debate can be best summarized by the statement that programs and program directors have dictated its history.

Though competition in speech (individual events), debate and drama officially began in 1941, the activities and actual competitions began the late 1920s and developed throughout the 1930s. Competition was somewhat scattered and localized in pockets in southern and western Illinois with a few areas in the north. All the competition was allied very heavily with the newly formed National Forensics League in Ripon, Wisconsin.

The early programs that dominated competition in the 1940's dominated all areas of competition (speech, debate, and drama) since these were hosted together in state series. There were relatively few programs that specialized in one area or another since the scoring was dependent upon earning points in all three areas to be crowned the overall speech champion. Teams from Freeport (coached by Jeanette Lloyd), Granite City (Mary Blackburn), Thornton Fractional (Earl Davis) and DuQuoin (Paul Hibbs) combined to win sixteen of the first twenty state tournaments with Freeport, Granite City, and Thornton Fractional each winning five championships under the above directors' leadership.

To explain how the early tournaments were scored and champion teams were crowned, we can use the 1947 DuQuoin champions as an example. DuQuoin had state champion individuals in extemp, oratory, and serious and comedy reading each receiving 5 points for their efforts. The DuQuoin debate team finished second receiving six points while their drama finished third receiving four. Their combined effort shows DuQuoin scoring 30 points and being crowned IHSA state champions. This method of scoring and competition continued until 1959 when separate champions began to be named. The importance of the overall speech/drama was recognized by the IHSA until the mid-seventies by naming an IHSA Sweepstakes champion using the original scoring method after the three separate tournaments had concluded.

Since 1959 to the present the three major areas of speech competition have gone their separate ways in the state series, though until 1974 the tournaments were still held together in a mutually workable site.

Perhaps the greatest variety of championships since the schism of competitions has been found in the area of debate with the schools of the North Shore and the southern suburbs of Chicago being of the greatest dominance. Schools such as both New Trier Township (East and West), both Glenbrook High Schools (North and South), Evanston Township, and Maine East have won and defended championships on a regular basis. The southern suburbs have been represented by championships from Homewood-Flossmoor, Thornridge, and Rich East.

Debate's format has undergone several changes from its original four-man style to two-man cross-examination and in 1986 introduced the one-speaker format of Lincoln-Douglas Debate in which Wheeling High School (coached by Don Tantillo) became the early powerhouse program. As the century changes, the size of debate competition numbers have lessened to the point that the only major competition is held at the state level with entries advancing directly to the state tournament.

Though smaller in the size, the quality of debate and educational experience of the activity still is one of the finest stepping-stones for later life skill that can be afforded today's young men and women.

In the dramatics competition, a true dynasty best describes the work of Homewood-Flossmoor High School and the work of Directors Barry Kautz and Tom Sweeney. A consistent emphasis on quality of selection, development of story line, impeccability of acting, and professionalism of setting produced fourteen championships during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Also distinguishing themselves in dramatics competition in the 80s and 90s has been Thornton Township (directors Mike Sanders and John Cash), winning six championships.

In 1974, the dramatics competition was joined by reader's theatre (later renamed group interpretation) as means of encouraging more participation at a smaller scale. GI limited the use of large settings, costuming, specific technical effects while encouraging more group dynamics, choral work and uniformity of dress and movement. As with all of the speech activity areas, programs and program directors determine the final outcomes and history. Thornwood High School, by winning five state championships, has so far been the standard bearer.

Each decade in individual events competition since the sixties has offered a series of strong programs of dominance with some very distinct results. Thornridge High School (coached by Jan Benjamin) had a four-year reign in which they won championships in 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1971. The balance of power then shifted to University High of Normal (Carol Brandt) for the next three seasons in 1972, 1973, and 1974. Seven different teams claimed championships during the 1980s as the traditional powers were introduced to strong new arrival Downers Grove South (John Hires/Jan Heiteen) joined Wheaton Central (Joe Gerace), and Homewood-Flossmoor (Barry Kautz) as the only two time winners.

The 90s belonged to two programs, Downers Grove South (Hires/Heiteen) and Wheaton Central/Warrenville South (Gerace/Donna Messina-Lee). The two teams won a total of eight championships (DGS-5/WWS-3) and 8-second place finishes (each 4).

I would be remiss if there was no mention of significant achievements of individual speakers was made. Winning a state championship is difficult but ten students have won not one, nor two, but three individual championships.

They are: Annemarie Mungo (Peoria HS – OO, DI, PR) Eric Berg (Wheaton Central/WWS – HI, HAD, DDA) Jason Davidson (Dunlap – OD, HI, OD), Katie Killacky (DGS – DI (2), HI), Dorothy Mendoza (DGS – OO, DEC, R), Kailey Bulifant (WC/WWS –DI, OO, DI), Dustin Burke (Glenbard West – ES, IS, IS), Ron Provine (Paxton – ES, IS, ES) and Jayson Miller (Wheaton Central/Warrenville South –OC, SOS, DDA). One student performer – Dave May of WC/WWS achieved even further accolades by winning four championships – DDA in 1997 DI in 1998, and DDA and HAD in 1999.

What is in store for the twenty-first century has yet to unfold, but it is safe to say that programs with winning philosophies, energetic speakers and coaches and a demand for excellence in all will come to front as state champions.