SIC Forensic Falcons Open the Season at Moraine

The Southeastern Illinois College Forensic Falcons opened their season this weekend with a fourth place finish at the Moraine Valley Appelquist Speech Tournament in Palos Hills, Illinois. The Falcons earned school honors and several individual awards at the event, which featured entries in public address, interpretation, and limited preparation.

Harrisburg’s Frankie Messerschmidt was among the students competing at this weekend’s tournament. Messerschmidt notes, “It’s a new experience to be on a team with so many new competitors. There is so much potential on this team and I know they are only going to get better and better with time, and that is so exciting.”

Gallatin County student Erica Johnson agrees. “I am so proud of this team and how far they’ve already come. I can’t wait to see what we all accomplish this season.”

Each competition builds to the 2026 Phi Rho Pi National Tournament in Bethesda, Maryland.  The team is coached by Jenny Billman, Angie Dunk, and Rachel Parish.

Individual results from the tournament are as follows.

Francesca Messerschmidt (Harrisburg): 3rd in Open Communication Analysis, 6^th in Open Impromptu Speaking

Erica Johnson (Equality): 2^nd in Open Dramatic Interpretation

Christopher Webb (Golconda): 2^nd in Open Program Oral Interpretation, 5^th in Novice Prose

Gracie Miller (Harrisburg): 3^rd in Open Prose

Jenann Woods (Marion): 2^nd in Novice Poetry

Dacey King (Golconda): 5^th in Novice Poetry

Callie Belford (Rosiclare): 6^th in Open Speech to Entertain

Also competing for SIC: Elizabeth Abell (Ridgeway), Mary Floyd (Golconda), Tristyn Franks (Ridgeway)

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