BOONE, Iowa—On Saturday, February 3rd, thirty-eight Boone High School speech team students in eleven different ensembles performed at the large group state contest in Waukee. Nine of these performances earned a Division I rating, the highest rating possible.

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.

Six performances received ones from all three judges.

Ensemble Acting – Who Doth Inhabit the Primary Position: Grayson Boggess and Levi Patterson

Ensemble Acting – Accused of Comedy: John Ben Bloem, Ryan Anderson, Chelsea Isabell, and Maggy Muller

Group Improv – Alaney Parker, John Coleman, Abigail Lumley, John Ben Bloem, and Anna Olson

Group Improv – Emily Licata, Kolton Johnson, Connor Vinchattle, and Brian Bingaman

One-Act Play – All the King’s Women: Alaney Parker, Katelyn Behm, Chelsea Isabell, Nick Runestad, Emma Runestad, and Ella Erickson

Solo Mime – “The Trials of a Painter”: Haley Anderson

Three other groups also earned Division I ratings with ones from two of the three judges.

Ensemble Acting – The True Meaning of Halloween: Brian Bingaman, Katelyn Behm, and Katelyn Mehlhaus

Short Film – “Project Hope”: John Coleman

Choral Reading – The Polar Express: Amber Lozier, Danielle Lozier, Nicole Lozier, Emily Licata, Hope Sundberg, Susanne Byrd, Josie Sharp, Amelia Verkade, Haley Anderson, Spencer Toms, Veronica Spears, Scott Crouse, and Emma Runestad

Also qualifying for state and earning Division II ratings from the judges were Carlee Carpenter, Halle Wilkening, and Akela Salter in the category of Group Improv, and Zander Reed, Cassidy Hasstedt, Cassidy Larrew, Regan Peter, and Alyssa Pierce in Choral Reading.

(contributed article from Boone High School Speech)