Speech, drama students earn division 1 ratings

All 13 speech and drama groups from Grinnell High School earned Division 1 ratings and advanced to State at Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf Feb. 3.

Grinnell High School registered 61 students across 23 entries for its first District Large Group speech contest held at Pella High School Jan. 20.

This was the first level of competition as part of the Iowa High School Speech Association’s collection of contests held across the state.

The 9th grade team sent nine entries, seven of which received a Division I ratings, moving them on to State.

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Assisting head coach Kevin Hosbond is fellow English teacher Jennie Flinspach. Also assisting is volunteer coach Michael Gookin who helps with music direction.

The 9th grade team entered one Radio Broadcast this year. The entry by Brennen Rasmussen and Jacob Raney received a Division II rating, as did the Group Improv team of Jonathan Solomon and Ty McIntyre.

Two other improv teams, starring Mallorie Arlint, Frances Pedersen, and Penelope Fennell, Slane McCue, and Lucy Skouson, both received Division I ratings. Flinspach advises the improv teams.

In the category of Musical Theater, “A Year with Frog and Toad,” directed by Flinspach, received a Division I rating and featured Aaron Blanchard, Kapria Derby, William Kelley-Chown, Lucy Lindberg and Frances Pedersen.

Also receiving a Division I was the Group Mime “Cirque du Slay” featuring Mallorie Arlint, Kapria Derby, Penelope Fennell, River Haenfler, Lucy Lindberg, and Lucy Skouson.

Hosbond oversees the mime teams.

The 9th grade team also entered three Short Films as part of the new stop-motion animation course taught at Grinnell High School by Ms. Alicia Carradus. “The Air Raid” by Gabe Bahrenfuse, “Something Sketchy” by Liam Han, and “The Broken Sword” by Dash Norris all received Division I ratings.

The varsity team presented one Short Film at the contest. “Caedes,” featuring Kaia Chang Roper, Moby Ostby and Ava Valencic, received a Division I rating. In the digital category of Radio Broadcasting, Billy Lopatto and Myles Manley received a Division I rating for their entry “KGFR.”

Three Group Improvisation teams were also entered this year. The three teams consisting of Cameron Corey, Ian Hammond, and Ketsia Kiphanzu; Will Dahlby Albright, Roman Mackenzie, and Jeslyn Voogd; and Owen Shepardson and Nathan Vander Leest received Division I ratings.

One Ensemble Acting scene was entered this season. “Angels in America,” featuring Natalie Nieuwsma and Cameron Thompson, earned a Division I rating.

Grinnell entered a Readers Theater titled “Ray and Milo” directed by Flinspach, which earned a Division I rating. It features Tobias Crandall, Roman Mackenzie, Reece Madren, Charlie Nicklas, Moby Ostby, Anna Schubert, Peyton Stensrud, and Jeslyn Voogd.

GHS also entered a Choral Reading written and directed by Hosbond titled “Look.” It features Chloe Alger, Eli Boyd, Cameron Corey, Joel Dressler, Kiran Elfenbein, Mary Jacobson, Maggie Kaup, Ketsia Kiphanzu, Judith Perez-Valentin, Anna Schubert, Catherine Schubert, Smith Skouson, and Peyton Stevenson, and also received a Division I rating.

Two Musical Theater groups were entered this season. All received Division I ratings.

The team of “Sunday in the Park with George” features Joel Dressler and Maggie Kaup. “Urinetown” features Will Dahlby Albright, Ian Durr, Elisabeth Kelley-Chown, Billy Lopatto, Brody Petig, Catherine Schubert, Thea Sherman and Peyton Stensrud.

Both teams were directed by Hosbond with musical direction by GHS Choir teacher Michael Gookin.

GHS also entered a One-Act Play this season, presenting “Reflex Action,” which was directed by Flinspach.

The cast and crew includes Forrest Behrens, Diane Boyd, Eli Boyd, Tobias Crandall, Elisabeth Kelley-Chown, Mackenzie Kohl, Reece Madren, Myles Manley, Ellie Mintle, Charlie Nicklas, Natalie Nieuwsma, Owen Shepardson, Cameron Thompson, and Lucy Turley. The performance earned an overall Division I rating.

And finally, in the area of mime, the team entered one Group Mime performance and one Solo Mime; all received Division I ratings. “The Spider-Woman” features Chloe Alger, Sarah Ashing, Forrest Behrens, Kiran Elfenbein, Cora Miller, and Peyton Stevenson.

Alger, Elfenbein, and Miller are returning from last year’s Critic’s Choice Award mime “The Heist.” In the area of Solo Mime, Cora Miller presented “The Bunny,” a story inspired by her own pet. All pieces were written and directed by Hosbond with the ensemble.

Division I-rated performances will perform again Saturday at the Large Group Speech State Contest in Bettendorf. The Speech Showcase will feature all performances at the GHS Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.

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Eight of nine Montezuma speech and drama teams advanced to state following the Jan. 20 districts.

“Every member of our team is performing in at least one event at state,” said Speech and Drama Coach Kelly Kaup.

Also coaching are Liesl Roorda and Dianne Singleton.

Teams advancing are as follows:

Choral Reading — Bryn Fantazia, Claire Erselius, Faith Ferry, Gracie Wilson, Isabella Roorda, Kaya Latcham, Letisia Wilson, Lily Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Madison Van Zee, Mya Smothers, Taylor Wilcox, Jayden Doll and Eli Smothers.

Radio Broadcasting — Jack Erselius, Alex Black, Eli Smothers, Carson Van Der Hart, Tod Geiger and Bryson Stockman.

Musical Theater Teams:

Mean Girls — Addyson Probasco, Camryn Brennan, Faith Ferry, Gracie Wilson, Lily Shoemaker and Owen Desrochers.

At the Ballet — Hayley Burnett, Lydia Singleton and Mya Smothers.

Ordinary Days — Kaya Latcham and Isabella Roorda.

Improv — (Team one) — Addyson Probasco, Claire Erselius, Taylor Wilcox, Lola Miller, Owen Desrochers. (Team two) — Laila Kercheval, Camryn Brennan, Hayley Burnett, Jayden Doll and Letisia Wilson.

Mime — Carrie Ann and Loki Harris.

The BGM High School Speech and Drama Comedy Conglomerate team earned a first place rating at the district competition to advance to state.

BGM’s Dramatic Intensity earned a II rating at District competition.