Chicago Heights, Ill. (March 11, 2021) – Marian Catholic High School students started 2021 with a bang. With a Fine Arts Department known for success, both the Marian Catholic Band and Marian Catholic Speech Team competed in state-wide tournaments already this year.
Ten students were named all-state musicians by the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA). This is the highest honor a high school music student can achieve in Illinois. Congratulations to Michelle Brannon '21 - Flute (South Holland, Ill.), Ahlia Garza '21 - Bass Clarinet (Cedar Lake, Ind.), Caleb Crockett '21 - Trombone (Schererville, Ind.), Eyan Idohl '21 - Clarinet (Matteson, Ill.), Christopher Scarver Jr. '21 - Clarinet (Hazel Crest, Ill.), Donovan Flagg '21 - Bass Trombone (Riverdale, Ill.), Roisin Walsh '22 - French Horn (Tinley Park, Ill.), Etienne Atangana '22 - Tenor Saxophone (South Holland, Ill.), Joshua Bell '22 - Baritone Saxophone (St. John, Ind.), Kolin Brannon '23 - Euphonium (South Holland, Ill.).
The Marian Catholic Speech Team also had amazing success at the IHSA State Speech Tournament. Seventeen students advanced to the IHSA State Competition after succeeding at one of the toughest Sectionals in Illinois. The students who advanced were Abimbola Adekoya '21 (Country Club Hills, Ill.), Marcus Bobbitt '23 (Matteson, Ill.), Caleb Braziel '21 (Richton Park, Ill.), Joselyn Guzzo '24 (St. John, Ind.), Andres Vazquez '21 (Chicago, Ill.), Brookelin Busby '23 (Schererville, Ind.), Candice Brennan '23 (Chicago Heights, Ill.), Christian Reed '24 (Burnham, Ill.), J Van Beest '23 (Flossmoor, Ill.), Jayda Taylor '23 (South Holland, Ill.), Tommy Walsh '24 (Tinley Park, Ill.), Vanessa Barajas '22 (Hammond, Ind.), Abigail Urban '23 (Chicago Heights, Ill.), Coralie Humbert '23 (Cedar Lake, Ind.), Alexander Korfiatis '21 (Schererville, Ind.), Mia Lockett '22 (Richton Park, Ill.), Taylor Trojan '21 (Homewood, Ill.).
Results: Abimbola Adekoya ’21 placed fourth in Special Occasion Speaking, Marcus Bobbitt ’23 placed third in Informative Speaking, Abimbola Adekoya ’21 & Caleb Braziel ’21 placed fifth in Dramatic Duet Acting, Alexander Korfiatis ’21 was a finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking, Mia Lockett ’22 was a finalist in Oratorical Declamation, and Mia Lockett ’22 & Taylor Trojan ’21 were finalists in Humorous Duet Acting.
Even during a socially distanced pandemic, these wonderful students are willing and able to share their many gifts and talents across the state of Illinois. Our ILMEA all-state musicians share the gift of their musical talents, and the Speech State Competitors used their voices and shared their stories. Congratulations to all in the Marian Catholic Fine Arts Department.
Marian Catholic High School, sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school guided by the Dominican tradition of study, prayer, community, and preaching. Marian Catholic students seek truth, exhibit personal responsibility, cultivate their individual talents, and demonstrate ethical leadership and Christian service. Visit www.marianchs.com for more information.
