Some passions are discovered. Others are inherited, shaped over time by the rhythms of family life and the quiet influence of those who came before. For brothers Andy and Noah Billman, speech—often called forensics—falls into the second category. It’s something they grew up around, long before they ever stepped onto a stage themselves, and now it has become a meaningful part of their experience at Harrisburg High School.

Andy, a freshman, and Noah, a junior, come from a family deeply connected to both education and competitive speech. Their parents have coached at the collegiate level for years, and that influence has shaped the brothers’ journey. “We’ve kind of grown up with speech, so we kind of always knew we were going to do it,” Noah explained. Their mother teaches English and communications at Southeastern Illinois College while coaching its speech team, and their father, a Harrisburg graduate, serves as Dean of Academic Studies there. With that kind of background, speech was always close at hand.

Still, both brothers officially began competing during their freshman years. By that time, they had already seen what the activity could be. Andy remembered attending a state competition as an eighth grader. “It was a great learning experience,” he said. “I got to see all these performances and figure out what I wanted to do. It was clear to me that I would like to do this.”

That early interest quickly turned into success. Noah built a strong foundation over his first two years, qualifying for state in two events each year and even advancing to national competition. This year, though, brought a new highlight as the brothers teamed up. Competing together in Humorous Duet Acting, they earned second place at the state level, showcasing both their individual skills and their natural connection as siblings.

Their performance required more than memorization. The eight-minute piece asked them to take on multiple characters, shifting voices, facial expressions, and physical movement to tell the story. Andy explained how much of the humor came from timing and interaction. “There were moments where we would do something that felt kind of awkward on purpose,” he said. “It made the audience uncomfortable in a way that made them laugh.”

While the script itself came from a published work, their delivery gave it a fresh, engaging feel. “We tried to act like it was all improv,” Noah said. “That gave it a little bit of a stand-up feel, and I think people really connected with that.” That ability to blend preparation with creativity helped set them apart and contributed to their strong finish at state.

Their success has now taken them to the national level, where they will compete in a similar category called Duo. This version comes with new challenges, including rules that prevent them from making eye contact or physical contact during the performance. Adjusting their piece has required both flexibility and focus, but it is a challenge they have embraced together.

“It’s a totally different competition,” Andy said. “We don’t really know what to expect.” Still, there is confidence in their preparation. “I know how good we can be,” Noah added. “I think if we trust that, we’ll do well.”

Beyond competition, speech has had a lasting impact on both brothers. Noah is considering a career in law, where public speaking will be essential, while Andy is interested in becoming a teacher. “I think speech helps with projecting your voice and not feeling nervous in front of people,” Andy said.

The nerves, however, never completely disappear. “You feel nervous beforehand,” he admitted, “but once you get up there, it’s like you’re a different person.” Noah agreed, adding that performing has become something they genuinely enjoy. “It’s really fun, especially when you’re doing it with your brother.”

That shared experience is what makes their story especially meaningful. They are not just competitors—they are teammates, shaped by a family legacy and supported by a community that values their success. “There’s so much support from everybody in Harrisburg,” Noah said. “When someone does well, people really lift you up. That’s something special about our school and our town.”