The Maine West Speech Team collected its fourth consecutive first place team trophy at Peoria Richwoods on Dec. 8 and 9. The other tournaments in which they took first place were Crystal Lake, Highland Park, and Carpentersville.

At Peoria the Speech Team collected nine individual trophies. First place awards were taken by Kathy Bashem '79 in prose, Sheila Nelson '79 in humorous interpretation, Maureen O'Malley '80 in dramatic interpretation, and Tim Dadabo '79 and Maureen O'Malley '80 in dramatic duet. Second place trophies were won by Judy Rompf '79 in dramatic interpretation, Sheila Wall '80 in original comedy, and Sheila Wall and Julie Farrell '79 in humorous duet. Third place awards were won by Janice Johnson '80 and Mike Bashem '81 in dramatic duet and Sheila Nelson and Paula Kavanaugh '80 in humorous duet.

On Nov. 18 the Speech Team edged Crown High School, the defending high school champions. Eight team members had 13 or more points out of a possible

15. While the season has just gotten into full swing, already six team members have qualified for the S.C.O.T.I.E. tournament. This tournament is generally regarded as having tougher competition than the Illinois State Tournament because only people who have taken first place in a tournament are eligible to participate.

Members of the Speech Team who have qualified for S.C.O.T.I.E. are Mark Halverson '80 in original comedy, Kathy Bashem in prose, Sheila Nelson in humorous interpretation, and Maureen O'Malley in dramatic duet. Maureen has also qualified in dramatic interpretation.

Mr. Ronald Mills, Speech Team coach, is justifiably proud of the team's start. He feels that "this is the best Speech Team ever" and that "the team is one of the most powerful in the state and should be proud of their accomplishments."

Students who are interested in becoming part of the Speech Team should contact Mr. Mills.