07-03-2025
SIC's Forensic Falcons soar to victory at state championship
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials say the Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) Forensic Falcons finished in first place at the IIFA-IL state championship.
SIC says this championship was held from February 28 to March 1 at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The Falcons earned top sweepstakes awards, top speaker awards and multiple individual awards in interpretation and public address.
Southeastern IL residents place in government championship
Officials say second year student Rachel Russell, of Norris City, was among the students competing this weekend.
Coach Rachel Parish says, 'I was incredibly proud of our team at state. The state competition is the best of the best in Illinois, and our students had a fantastic showcase of Southern Illinois' talent.'
Norris City native places in Indianapolis competition
SIC says each competition builds to the 2025 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia. The team is coached by Jenny Billman, Paul Cummins and Rachel Parish.
In terms of students from the Eyewitness News coverage area, Russell is the only one. This is how she placed:
5th individual sweepstakes
6th prose interpretation
2nd speech to entertain
3rd dramatic interpretation
Champion in duo interpretation with partner Abby Zirkelbach of Marion, Illinois
3rd duo interpretation with partner Erica Johnson of Equality, Illinois
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