The Darlington High School Forensics Team was once again awarded the organization’s most prestigious award, The Excellence in Speech Award, which recognizes schools whose students earn the highest medalist honors at the State Speech Festival, which was held on April 22 in Madison. This is the 23-year that Darlington has received this award. Since the Wisconsin High School Forensics Association gives this honor to the top five percent of schools, which is 18 schools in the state. The following students participated at State and received the following medals:
In Prose: Aliah Gould – gold, Lucy Heinberg – silver, Hunter Weber – gold and Marty Williams – gold; Solo Acting: Sydney Brandt – gold, Brenda Mendez – gold and Kaitlyn Reichling  - gold; Storytelling: Giselle Mendez – silver, Harlie Turnquist – silver and Erin Wolf – gold; Moments in History: Emma Crist – gold; Four Minute speech: Maddie Crist – silver, Bethany McDonald – silver and Lacie Smith – gold; Radio Speaking: Thomas Wessell – silver; Public Speaking: Rabita Madina – silver; Oratory: Sadie Fitzsimons – gold; Poetry: Ashley Carns – gold, Payton Heinberg – silver and Lauren Weber – gold; Demonstration: Anastasia Dannenberg – bronze.
In Group Interpretation: “Evolution of Man”: Conner Hackett, Jarrett Lancaster, Jared Meister, Grady Rielly and Joshua Weaver – gold; “Feelings”: Cora Carpenter, Adam Carr, Maddie Andrae, Bailey McDonald and Reagan Roelli – gold.
In Play Acting: “Grease”: Siara Bergeson, Hope Francis, Hannah Kelly, Paige Schilling and Isabel Wedig – gold; “The Odd Couple”: Michael Garcia, Jackson Hemming, Allison Horne and Gabrielle Steiner – gold.
Alternates were Ryley Lancaster, Alyssa Tuescher and Cade Murray. Coaches were Carmen Rielly, Leona Havens, Kalee Crist and Clarey Knellwolf.