The Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) has cancelled the annual Individual State and All-State Speech festivals due to concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

The Executive Committee voted Thursday to cancel all state speech contests set for Saturday, March 14 and the All-State Festival on March 30 at UNI is also being cancelled.

An IHSSA statement:
“The Executive Committee believes the dramatic changes over the last 24 hours and the ever changing landscape surrounding the COVID-19 virus warranted cancellation of the state contests. The Executive Committee discussed and reviewed comments and concerns that were sent in by our member schools in the past few days.”

All local schools have been encouraged to hire judges to review and rate their students. Any student who is selected as an All-State speaker will receive a medal and recognition. Schools should contact the IHSSA to report All-State honorees. The IHSSA local contests should be completed before the end of the school year.

The following local performances earned Division I scores and advanced to state:

Pella
Performer – Category – Rating
Sam Beukelman – Prose – I
Travis Mitchell – Storytelling – I
Taryn Peffers – Lit Program – I
Maria Pronina – Storytelling – I
Abbey Beal – Prose – I
Aidan Van Haaften – Review – I
Sarah Linde – Original Oratory – I
Hanna Kendall – Poetry – I
Grant Anderson – Improv – I
Travis Mitchell – Musical Theater – I
Titus Hopkins – Radio News – I
Ella Van Zee – Storytelling – I
Will Rasmussen – Spontaneous Speaking – I
Taryn Peffers – Storytelling – I
Maggie Leach – Prose – I
Sam Beukelman – Storytelling – I
Connor Folkers – After Dinner Speaking – I
Connor Gauley – Improv – I
Aleigha Ausman – Poetry – I
Liam Peffers – Literary Program – I
Will Rasmussen – Radio News – I
Meridith Rowe – Musical Theater – I
Mason Diaz Bandera – Acting – I
Abbi Adrian – Literary Program – I
Connor Gauley – After Dinner Speaking – I
Connor Folkers – Improv – I
Hanna Kendall – Prose – I
Braelyn Ensor – Musical Theater – I
Lily Lovell – Prose – I
Joe Beukelman – Expository – I
Abbey Beal – Literary Program – I
Elaine Schippers – Poetry – I
Emily Rozendaal – Musical Theatre – I
Aleigha Ausman – Musical Theater – I
Josephine McDonald – Poetry – I
Ella Van Zee – Poetry – I
Maggie Leach – After Dinner Speaking – I

Knoxville:
Johanna Leonard – Literary Program – 1
Riley Newendorp – Musical Theatre – 1
Brandon Barkey – Original Oratory – 1
Brandon Barkey – Prose – 1

Indianola:
Ava Jane Moorlach – Spontaneous Speaking – 1
Isabella DeVito – Solo Musical Theatre – 1
Ryan Magelhaes- Acting – 1
Megan Lewiston- Original Oratory – 1
Isabella DeVito- Poetry – 1

Pella Christian:
Morgan Meinders – Storytelling – 1
Colby De Vries – Musical Theatre – 1
Leah Osborn -Lit Program – 1
Braden Meinders – Musical Theatre 1
Abby Gosselink – Prose 1
Leah Osborn -After Dinner Speaking – 1
Marie Johnson -Lit Program – 1
Trent Van Gilst – Storytelling – 1
Piper King – Acting – 1
Emily Van Beek – Storytelling – 1
Marie Johnson – Poetry – 1
Trent Van Gilst – Lit Program – 1
Emily Van Beek – After Dinner Speaking – 1

Pleasantville:
Courtney Fleming – Storytelling – 1
Trenton Major – Solo Improv – 1
Olivia McLamb – Poetry – 1
Justin Nickel – Radio Broadcasting – 1
Justin Nickel – Storytelling – 1
Fiona Phipps – Radio Broadcasting – 1

PCM
Jaiden Eisbrenner – Acting – 1
Allan Porajow – Improv – 1
Jaiden Eisbrenner – Poetry – 1
Garin Padget – Storytelling – 1
Justin Hall – Original Oratory – 1
Megan Dustin – Poetry – 1

Melcher-Dallas:
Angel Beaty – Improv – 1
Elizabeth Milburn – Poetry – 1
Evan Putz – Radio News – 1
Sarah Hyatt – Acting – 1
DoraMae Bennett – Poetry – 1
Grace DeHeer – 1
J’Lyn Knutson – Storytelling – 1
Sarah Hyatt – Storytelling – 1
Angie Clark – Poetry – 1
Evan Putz – Prose – 1
DoraMae Bennett – Original Oratory – 1
Karlee Lovell – Prose – 1
Randi Beaty – Prose – 1
Seth Remster – Expository – 1
Abby Tadder – After Dinner Speaking – 1

Twin Cedars:
Rachael Stoops – Prose – 1
Kaya DesPlanque – Poetry – 1