BOONE, Iowa—On Saturday, February 2, fifty-two Boone High School speech team students in thirteen different ensembles performed at the large group state contest at Valley High School in West Des Moines. Four of these performances earned a Division I rating, the highest rating possible, and one group of seniors was honored with a nomination to perform at the IHSSA Large Group All-State Festival.

Three judges evaluated each performance, awarding students a rating on a scale from one to four. Students must receive a one from at least two of the three judges to earn an overall Division I rating.

The senior group improvisation ensemble of John Ben Bloem, John Coleman, Maggy Muller, Anna Olson, and Alaney Parker received ones from all three judges after drawing a situation out of an envelope and creating a scene on the spot. Their performance of “Being Cast in the Next Teen Movie” ultimately earned them an All-State nomination. The five seniors have been honing their improv skills as a group since they were freshmen. They will perform at the All-State Festival at Iowa State University on Saturday, February 16.

Bottom row left to right: Alaney Parker, Anna Olson
Top row left to right: John Coleman, John Ben Bloem, Maggy Muller

Boone’s choral reading ensemble also earned straight one’s from the three judges. Performing Duncan’s Crayons, an adaptation of the children’s book The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, were Carla Gomez Tello Tellez, Scott Krause, Alyssa Kastenschmidt, Amber Lozier, Chloe Clauson, Danielle Lozier, Emma Runestad, Hope Sundberg, Jadyn Mortensen, Madesen Oppedahl, Nicole Lozier, Sinclair Oppedahl, Suzanne Byrd, Taylan Howard, and Josie Sharp.

Two other ensembles also earned Division I ratings with ones from two of the three judges.

Short Film – #Ded: Chelsea Isabell, Ella Erickson, Margaret Van Dyke, Nick Runestad, Coldon Germain

Musical Theatre – Rent: Katelyn Behm, Abigail Lumley, John Ben Bloem, Ella Erickson, Akela Salter, Taylor Roberts, Margaret Van Dyke, Scott Krause

Nine other groups also qualified for state and earned Division II ratings from the judges.

Group Improv: Chloey Davidson, Justice Edberg, Jason Prazak

Group Improv: Chelsea Isabell, Abigail Lumley, Lacoda Collier, Ryan Anderson, Gabe Wolf

Readers Theatre – “The Little Match Girl”: Zander Reed, Sinclair Oppedahl, Madesen Oppedahl, Cassidy Hasstedt, Skye Bentson, Keara Halsrud

Short Film – Third Wheeling: John Coleman, Devon Cunningham, Shelbi Clayton, Carlee Carpenter, David Franks, Brandon Kinyon, Delaney Gaskill, Paige Hollenberg, Marin Powell, Amber Lozier, Danielle Lozier, and Nicole Lozier

Musical Theatre – Matilda: Regan Peter, Alyssa Pierce, Lacoda Collier, Zander Reed, Cassidy Hasstedt, Skye Bentson, Taylan Howard, Carlee Carpenter

Ensemble Acting – The Question: Chloe Clauson, Elinor Wojcik, Keirra McFadden, Nick Runestad, Alyssa Pierce

Ensemble Acting – Hole in the Wall: Maggy Muller, Alaney Parker, Katelyn Behm, Ryan Anderson

Group Mime – Love You Forever: Kalie Melton and Ian Thompson

TV News – KZUS: Chloey Davidson, Caitlin Alber, Devin Miller, Logan Shearer, Jenna Stevens, Leah Bloem

Next up for the speech team is the individual events district contest, which will be held at ADM High School on February 23.

(contributed article and photo, Boone High School Speech)