CCHS speech heads to state

Eight student groups advance after earning top district ratings over the weekend

To the Press

The Charles City High School speech team advanced eight of ten events on to state after the Iowa High School Speech Association district large group contest at Waverly this weekend. The team was under the direction of Mike Lembke and Brenda Bailey, with volunteer help from Linda Brant and Tony Holschlag. Earning I ratings at district and advancing to state were a readers theatre, choral reading, three ensemble acts, one improvisation, and two short films. Two improvisations received II ratings and will not advance.

A free local performance by the speech team will show off the state events on Thursday night, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium. A free-will donation will be taken to help pay for contest entry fees and royalties. State competition will be held at West Waterloo High School on Feb. 6. The public may attend IHSSA contests.

The Readers Theatre performed a script based on “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson. Cast members are seniors Brennan Richards, Jonathan Baxter, Jenna Grober, and Faith Slinger; juniors Nathaniel Reams, Ryan Parker, Olivia Ayers, Karissa Jensen, and Kaitlyn Pellymonter; sophomores Brian Feres, Cameron McKenna, and Carter West; and freshmen Shane Fleming and Ruby Peterson.

The Choral Reading is an original script written by Linda Brant and Mike Lembke entitled “Rockin’ Robin Hood.” Cast members are seniors Jonathan Baxter, Brennan Richards, Faith Slinger, and Jenna Grober; juniors Nathaniel Reams, Kaitlyn Pellymonter, and Ryan Parker; sophomores Joe Iseneker, Brian Feres, John Perez, Carter West, Gillian King, and Jacob Hallett; and freshmen Ruby Peterson and Bethany Linde.

Three ensemble acting groups advanced to state. Amy Wolfe, Hannah Menken, and Olivia Wolfe performed “The Role of Della” by John Wooten, about a competitive acting audition. The second ensemble was “DMV Tyrant” by Christopher Durang, about a frustrating encounter trying to renew a driver’s license. It was performed by Ellen Wandro and Isaac Fortunato. The third ensemble, from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, featured Gillian King as Juliet and Olivia Ayers as her nurse.

A short film entitled “Hamlet” was directed by Jacob Hallett. It was a murder mystery set in the theatre. Cast members included Ashlyn Bauer, Elias King, Hunter Cother, McKenzie White and Montana Schmidt.

A second film called “Too Late,” a story of lost love, was directed by Ryan Wolfe. The cast was Abram Marth, Amy Wolfe, Jocelyn Lewis, John Perez, Mary Field, Mija Cotton, Olivia Wolfe and Sebastian Villagomez.

One improvisation group advanced to state.  An improv group draws situations out of a hat and has two minutes to plan their scene. The group of Hunter Cother, McKenzie White and Montana Schmidt drew the situation of working out at the club.

Two improv groups will not go on to state. Amari Allen, Shane Fleming and Troi Mayhorn drew the situation of being pulled over by an officer. The group of Abram Marth, Bethany Linde, Harley Wilson and Mariah McKenzie drew the situation of shoes talking back.