New London and WMU head to Large Group Speech State

KEOTA — New London and Winfield Mt. Union schools’ large group speech teams showed their best at one of Iowa High School Speech Association’s (IHSSA) district competitions held in Keota over the weekend.

“We took seven pieces to the District Large Group Speech competition and all of them received a Division I rating,” New London Speech Coach Tori Kenel said.

Much like band competitions, speech groups compete for division ratings ranging from Division I through Division VI.

In order for teams to continue to the next level of competition, they must receive a Division I rating.

WMU took three groups to the competition this past Saturday. Two of the three groups will advance to Large Group Speech State Competition, Feb. 4 at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids.

Groups from WMU competed in Short Film, Ensemble Acting, and Radio News Broadcasting.

While the WMU Radio Broadcasting group GLAD News will not advance to the state competition, they did receive a Division II rating.

“Their news broadcast was focused on ‘good news’ stories from August, which included the Iowa State Fair, the sunflowers painted on tanks in Ukraine, mental health, and Iowa high school sports beginning for the school year,” WMU Speech Coach Taylor Rodgers-Jennings said.

“The group developed, organized, wrote, recorded, and edited their entire broadcast,” she said. “This was each group member's first time competing in a speech contest.”

According to Rodgers-Jennings, Short Film competitors Gabe White and Lucus Sparrow also competed for the first time.

IHSSA gives Short Film groups a five-minute limit for a prerecorded student-led film. A film under five minutes is prepared in advance of the contest.

“The film can be of any genre, from comedy to action, as long as it meets the time requirements,” IHSSA’s description of events states.

“They both were very passionate about creating a short film their senior year,” Rodgers-Jennings said. “They both create videos in their spare time and excelled in displaying their creativity in the five minute or less film requirement.”

White and Sparrow showed a Short Film titled “Operation Undermine,” to receive their Division I rating.

New London’s team showed a Short Film, as well. Students Reid Bell, Alex Farley, Ines Veschembes, Averie Senn, Kaitlyn Lee, and Miah Phillips showed “Maledictio Geodis” which earned their Division I rating in the category.

WMU’s other state-bound group consists of sisters Isabel and Ella Kann.

The Kann sisters received a Division I rating for their quick-witted and expressive performance of the classic Abbott and Costello skit, “Who’s on First?” for the Ensemble Acting category.

According to IHSSA, the Ensemble Acting category consists of “Any type of acting scene requiring two to six participants.”

This category only allows actors to use chairs and a table. It does not permit costuming or props.

Students competing in Ensemble Acting memorize their pieces and perform a selection under 15 minutes.

“These sisters showcase one veteran speech member and one newcomer, Isabel who is a senior and Ella who is a freshman,” Rodger-Jennings said. “They were excited to develop their skills in an event together and they purposely picked something with a comedic emphasis to showcase their dynamic.”

New London sends the following three Ensemble Acting groups to state contest:

Annie Sines, Miah Phillips, Liberty Henderson, Lanie Szewczyk, and Sydney Lipper performing “Controlling Interest.”

Alex Farley and Reid Bell performing “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened.”

Josiah Denney, Paige Miller, Averie Sean, and Taven Jewett performing “Wanda’s Visit.”

Additionally, New London sends two Musical Theatre groups and an Improv group.

Their Musical Theatre group performing “Learn to Do It” features Chevy Mills, Matthew Rogers, and Josiah Denney.

The other Musical Theatre group will perform “Say My Name,” from Bettlejuice featuring Taven Jewett, Lanie Szewczyk, Paige Miller, and Liberty Henderson.

According to IHSSA, Musical Theatre groups consist of groups of two to eight students performing a series of selections from a musical play or one song, with background music.

Like Ensemble Acting, this category may not use costumes or props except for chairs and a table.

Their state-bound Improv group named “Crash landing” includes Sydney Lipper, Ines Veschembes, Amanda Shane, Annie Sines and Chevy Mills.

According to IHSSA, groups of two to five people compete by choosing one topic from a list of three.

The group then uses a two-minute planning period to prepare and then perform a scene lasting five minutes or less.

“These kids have worked hard and brought tons of energy and talent to competition,” Kenel said of her New London Speech Team. “We will continue to practice and go at it again at State competition.”

“I am beyond proud of their hard work and dedication,” she said. “Their support of one another is the backbone of our speech team.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com