A strong speech season

Saturday, Highland High School speech team hosted a showcase of the students’ hard work at the Ainsworth Opera House.

“We’ve had a pretty record-breaking year,” Speech coach Jayme Kallaus said.

Large group speech started the season off on a great note with three groups competing.

Kallaus was very proud of the radio news broadcasting team “KNEW, The Ax-Idental News.”

Freshman Katy Smith; sophomores Allyana Pokorny and Ray Foley; along with junior Emma Smith lead “KNEW” to a division one ranking at districts followed by a state ranking of two to finish up the large group season.

Improv team “Funny but Appropriate” earned a division two ranking at district competition, as did “KNOW, The Know” Radio News Broadcasting team.

Radio News Broadcasting- KNEW, The Ax-Idental News- Allyana Pokorny (10), Rayne Foley (10), Emma Smith (11), and Katy Smith (9)- Received a 1 at Districts advancing to State, received 2's at State

Highland’s team continued their efforts into the individual season.

Two students received division one rankings for their solo musical theater performances and continued to state competition.

Zoey Robidoux sang “I Know Things Now,” and Emma Nicola sang “On the Steps of the Palace,” and both received division two rankings at state competition.

Division one rankings were given for Emma Smith’s performances in expository address and poetry.

"I ask society this/ Am I worthy?“ Smith asked as she recited poetry about self-worth written by herself.

Alyanna Pokorny was just as successful with her expository address and reviewing pieces.

“Why would the wicked witch need the ruby slippers anyway?” asked Pokorny’s in her review of The Wizard of Oz “At the end Glinda the Good Witch even tells Dorothy that she always had the power.”

Brendan Schnoebelen competed and received division one ranking at districts, division one ranking at state, and a recommendation for the highest honor of performing at All State on UNI campus.

The season consisted of students trying different categories for the first time such as Robidoux giving solo musical theater a try for her senior year competing.

Kyle Whestine also dipped his toes into a new category, radio news, and received a division two ranking at districts as did Katy Smith in storytelling.

The showcase was relaxed and filled with laughter and inside jokes.

“If you’re doing improv next year,” Senior student Smith said, “we’re leaving behind the ducks to the underclassmen.”

Kallaus finds the end of the season bittersweet as her first crop of seniors prepare for new adventures.

“These are my babies,” Kallaus said, “it’s been four years of the ducks!”.

Chatter filled the room as students excitedly dreamed of their plans for next years seasons while enjoying their well-earned cake to wrap up the showcase.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com