Marking the end of speech season, the team had their last performance Feb. 11 at sectionals.

“I think that the work that went in the week leading up to our regional made this tournament what it was, which was a pretty huge success for us, and how we improved it was the work that was put in,” speech team coach Paul Lichy said.

Twelve students qualified for sectionals.

Qualifiers included senior Nayeli Miguel and sophomore Neve Ryan for dramatic duo, junior Alexis Perezchica for humorous interpretation, junior Jack Gillespie for special occasion speaking, sophomores Grecia Bahena, Emily Carroso, Monceret Hernandez, Kevin Paige, Ansh Patel and juniors Dylan Davidson and Sara Richert for performance in the round.

Although none of the students moved on to state, senior Maxwell Smith placed fourth place in extemporaneous speaking at sectionals.

“My goal was to reach state, I didn’t end up doing it, but at the end of the day, I’m still honored that I had the privilege to speak about something that I’m passionate about every single weekend,” Smith said.

Smith believes his last year in speech team was the best.

“Honestly, at the end of it I was walking out of that room, and I felt I gave the best speech of my life,” Smith said.

Smith said that overcoming fear is an achievement.

“You’re learning something that is the most common fear in the world, public speaking, so if you can conquer the world’s most feared thing then what else do you have to be afraid of? ” Smith said.

Lichy believes the team worked to their potential.

“I think each of them represented themselves well and they did the best performance they could. They felt good with what they had done, and that’s become really what we strive for, is kind of championing your own abilities,” Lichy said.