Washington large group speech headed to state tournament

KEOTA — Washington High School’s speech team earned high marks at the Iowa High School Speech Association’s District Tournament over the weekend, with Division I and II ratings across the board.

“We are extremely happy with how we did at contest this weekend,” Speech Coach John Pertzelka said. “We are doubling down to really improve for the state contest in two weeks. We have high hopes for all of our groups doing extremely well.”

The results send seven of the school’s nine groups to the State Tournament Feb. 4 at Cedar Rapids Washington High School. Performers will also showcase all their groups in the Washington High School Auditorium Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m.

Washington’s results were as follows:

Musical Theater: “Legally Blonde,” Bailey Rees, Cecilia Murphy, Levi Applegate, Rita Du, Makynna Morgan, Charlotte Windmill and Keyla Aranda, was rated I.

Choral Reading: “Ferocious and Fragile Femininity,” performed by Quincy Griffis, Callie Schiebel, Claire Wubbena, Luna Morris, Bella Lujan, Charlotte Windmill and Kate Flannery, was rated I.

Improv group Majestic, composed of Allison Rees, Kevin Flannery, Rita Du and Mikaila Matheson, received a I rating.

Improv group Wake up Sleepy Head, composed of Quincy Griffis, Bailey Rees, Levi Applegate and Matthew Vanderpol, received a I rating.

Improv group Lalaland, composed of Keegan Colby, Keyla Aranda and Ashlee Bose, received a II rating.

Solo Mime: Ashlee Bose’s “The Promenade,” received a I rating.

Readers Theater: “Gold is the New Black” performed by Isobel Murphy, Ada Kendall, Bella Lujan, William Kennedy, Maya Bruty, Iris Dahl and Amelia Dahl, received a I rating.

One-Act Play: “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors,” performed by Molly Klinzman, Amelia Dahl, Ada Kendall, Cecilia Murphy, Kate Flannery and Quintyn Garibay received a I rating from all three judges.

Television Newscasting: Group IMC, composed of Iris Dahl, Maya Bruty, Callie Schiebel, Isobel Murphy and Luna Morris, received a II rating.

AnnaMarie Ward also contributed to this report.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com