DGS Speech Team Wins National 'School of Excellence' Award

was one of only 13 schools in the nation to receive the "School of Excellence" Award at the 2012 National Forensic League National Tournament this month. 

Competing against hundreds of other students, Billy Chengary and Michelle McCarthy took fourth place in duo interpretation at the tournament. Both Chengary and McCarthy graduated from DGS this month. 

The 2012 National Forensic League (NFL) National Tournament was held June 10-15, 2012 in Indianapolis.

“This has been an extraordinary finish to an incredible speech season,” said Head Coach and NFL Sponsor Jan Heiteen. “I could not be prouder of this team and the legacy they leave as performers and leaders.”

Heiteen retires this school year after leading the Downers Grove South Speech Team to 15 state championships and coaching more than 70 individual event state champions. The Downers Grove South Speech Team has been called the winningest in the state.

Dan Leahy and Mariah Copeland won quarter-finalist awards in duo interpretation at the national competition. Erin M. Walsh finished in the top 14 Prose and Erin C. Walsh and Ammar Kalimullah were both octa-finalists in their events.

Also competing for the team were Colleen DeRosa, Lian Lucansky, Natasha Prosek. Representing the team in debate were Dhara Puvar, Supal Mehta, Nick Tannenbaum, Mitch Bild and Jack LeBaron.

Coach Elighie Wilson was also honored at the Coaches Diamond Ceremony with his second diamond for coaching. 

In addition to Heiteen and Wilson, traveling with the team were Christopher Blum, Justin Matkovich and Jennifer Hernandez.

More than 3,200 students participated in the 2012 NFL National Tournament, billed as the world's largest academic competition. The event drew visitors from across the country and as far away as China. Top performers take home more than $200,000 in college scholarships.

The NFL is a not-for-profit honorary society whose mission is to promote high school and middle school speech and debate activities as a means to develop a student’s essential life skills and values.

More than 112,000 high school and middle school students, representing more than 2,900 schools nationwide, are currently building their communication, leadership, cognitive, and presentational skills as members. Since 1925, more than 1.3 million students have found their voice in the NFL.