Emma Blaum is this week's Pirate Competitor of the Week. She placed 3rd at the IHSA Speech Sectional held in DeKalb on Saturday, Feb. 11. This third place ranking has earned her a place in the IHSA State Speech Tournament held at the Peoria Civic Center on Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18. Emma will compete against 17 of the best speakers in her category, Oratorical Declamation. "I watched Emma's final round," said Coach Susan Bookless. "The competition in that room was first rate, and Emma was part of that. She did an amazing job and I couldn't be more proud of her."
Emma was honored with a gift basket from Galena Culver’s, as well as a newspaper courtesy of the Galena Gazette.