Area high school speech teams will begin the competition season today.

Large group performers from Pella, Pella Christian, PCM, Pleasantville, and North Mahaska travel to Grinnell; Knoxville, Twin Cedars, and Melcher-Dallas head to Ottumwa. Each performance earning a straight Division I “excellent” rating from a panel of judges will advance to the State Competition at Cedar Rapids Washington High School on February 4th.