Decorah High School speech students participated in State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, February 4th held at Waterloo West High School. Judges at the state contest selected ten of Decorah High School students’ performances as outstanding; these performances are honored with the coveted All-State Speech nomination. The DHS students comprising these groups will travel to the Iowa State University campus in Ames to perform at the All-State Festival on Saturday, February 18th. Complete results and ticket information can be found on the IHSSA website at https://www.ihssa.org/contests/large-group/all-state/.

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments so far this season. Their talent and hard work are reflected in their nominations. We can’t wait to see them be recognized at the All-State Festival,” remarked the directors.

The All-State nominations are as follows:

Ensemble Acting “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” was directed by Lyra McKnight. 

Participants include Libby Phillips, Evon Leitz, Ezra Vorvick, Grace Blikre, Rebecca Kane, and Lucas Hanson.

Ensemble Acting “The Spot” was directed by Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks. Participants include Leslie Campbell, Peter Essa, Ethan Stravers, Danielle Rix, Gwen Thompson, and Elliana Brodbeck.

Group Improv was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight. 

Group One: Adam Jones, Anders Lovstuen, Ansel Kowitz, Jack Sovern, and Alex Irwin.

Group Two: Henry Weis, Abbie Valkosky, Joe Stammeyer, Tommy Hammel, and Brynn Storhoff.

Solo Mime “The Assis-STUNT” by Ramsey Zilka was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabe Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Musical Theater “Come from Away” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Participants include Gabriel Hiner, Libby Phillips, Jake Magner, Max Wilson, Rebecca Kane, Ezra Vorvick, Alex Kane, and Sally Laybourn.

One Act Play “New Normal” was directed by Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks and Gabe Twedt. 

Participants include Bella Bishop, Jenna Hartz, Alex Kane, Ada Lovelace, Ellen Rooney, Kathryn Kelly, Hayley Stowe, Elliana Brodbeck, McKenzie Riley, Margret Zook, Camryn Holland, and Danielle Rix.

Readers Theater “Starcatcher” was directed by Gabe Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Bella Bishop, Sophia Christman, Carter Kowitz, Jake Magner, Michael Njus, Ethan Stravers, Sydney Kipp, Abbie Valkosky, Henry Weis, Oliver

Brummel, Greta Jones, Ramsey Zilka, McKenzie Riley, Grant Zilka, and Rebecca Anderson.

TV News “Iowa Wild: Off the Grid” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabe Twedt.

Participants include Simon Kutz, Corina Timm, Paige Wrightsman, Easton Luzum, Liz Pritchard, Annaleissa Arnold, Lillian Jensen, Caden Branum, Jack Sovern, Brynn Storhoff, Luke Arendt, Ansel Kowitz, Paige Werner, Daniel Skrade, and Andy Kruger.

TV News “Vanished: The Search for Jodi Huisentruit” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabe Twedt. 

Participants include Diep Doan, Kaeley Downing, Lily Iverson, Karmyn Bakken, Grace Neal, Ellen Rooney, Kamryn Steines, Thea Schissel, Kealy Hines, Bridget Bentley, Braunwyn Darrington, Sydney Kipp, Rebecca Bruening, and Addison Wicklund.