Speech Showcase - from The Messenger

Fort Dodge students did not have far to look for support when they showcased their talents at the state speech competition last weekend.

The Dodgers shared their productions inside Fort Dodge Senior High School, which hosted the annual event.

"Hosting contests, especially a state contest, is a huge undertaking," said Individual Speech coach Lindey Krug. "Even more so when we are also preparing 40 individuals to perform at the same time.

"With that said, we were happy to do it. It's nice not having to travel for a change. It's even better to show off our school. I heard many compliments about the building and how smoothly the contest ran."

Fort Dodge received 30 Division I and 10 Division II ratings.

"At the end of the day, we walked away with 30 Division I and 10 Division II ratings," Krug said. "I think that might be a record year for us.

"I'm so very proud of each and every one of our students for their performances, how they support their teammates, and how they positively represent Fort Dodge Senior High."

The Dodgers had six events and five students earned top honors, which earned them All-State status and a chance to perform their pieces on March 27 in Cedar Falls.

Senior Aaron Amhof earned two All-State nominations with his Prose piece titled "Sniper" along with his Solo Musical Theatre selection of "I Believe."

"Having the competition at home was amazing," Amhof said. "It was really nice having prior knowledge of the space of my performances which you don't typically have.

"Being nominated for two individual categories wasn't something I ever thought possible and it is such an honor to be able to represent Fort Dodge Senior High."

Senior Mikeal Campbell advanced in Solo Musical Theatre as well with his rendition of "Good-Bye."

"Ending my senior speech season with an All-State performance is a dream come true. I fell short last year so to be able to come back and achieve my goals this year is unbelievable," Campbell said. "This will be my first solo All-State appearance. Being able to compete at this level again after an amazing season with my improv guys is more than I could've asked for.

"Competing at home had some mixed feelings. It was nice to not have a long drive and perform in a space I was unfamiliar with, however the whole day was very tiring for all of us so there's good and bad about it."

Classmate Brayden Schmieder excelled in the Acting category with his piece "The Guest."

"Getting selected for individual All-State really shows the amount of work you put into the piece," Schmieder said. "With large group you can rely on others, but with individual you have to showcase your own talents. Being able to compete at home for state this year was a plus.

"Though it was a lot of work, we were familiar with the rooms and the space we were working with."

Junior Camden Doster took top honors in Radio News Announcing.

"It truly was an honor to be selected for All-State and I was surprised because it was a new category that I was trying and I didn't know how I felt at first, but I really started to like it," Doster said. "I was very happy that I made it after the work I put in.

"Performing at my home school did not feel extremely different to me since I knew I was still being judged for my performance, but I did like that I knew how everything was set up beforehand."

Sophomore Ella Champagne's Poetry selection of "I Want to Be" was also an All-State selection.

"Being nominated for All-State is a huge honor," Champagne said. "I performed a poetry piece called 'I Want to Be' by Maia Mayor. This piece was very fun to perform, but also a piece I relate to.

"I grew up watching my sister do speech and it was very motivating to see her perform. Doing speech now that I am in high school has been super fun. I love the environment and Ms. Krug's happy personality. I was quite shocked when I made All-State, but very, very happy because I felt that my hard work was recognized."

With the luxury of performing in familiar surroundings, it was a comforting place for the students.

"Performing at home was very comforting. I had my whole fan club, which consists of all of my family and friends," Champagne said. "My parents and my sister are my biggest supporters. This makes me feel more at ease while performing.

"I also was in Mrs. Stansfield's classroom who I have had as a teacher and love dearly. She also motivated me to read, write, and perform poetry, so it felt fitting."

FORT DODGE RESULTS

Varsity Division I Ratings

Evan Pratt, Acting; Hope Miller, Acting; Brayden Schmieder, Acting; Sol Birkey, After Dinner Speaking; Michael Wagner, After Dinner Speaking; Chloe Balm, Literature Program; Chris Hulsebus, Literature Program; Gabby Schumacher, Literature Program; Amelia Rake, Original Oratory; Abbi Casciato, Original Oratory; Ella Champagne, Poetry; Ashlyn Headlee, Poetry; Aaron Amhof, Prose; Sydney Gebers, Prose; Lexie McHone, Public Address; Katie Dawson, Radio News Announcing; Camden Doster, Radio News Announcing; Katie Rodemaker, Reviewing; Abraham Fisher, Reviewing; Grace Casciato, Solo Musical Theatre, Aaron Amhof, Solo Musical Theatre, Amelia Rake, Spontaneous Speaking; Sol Birkey, Storytelling.

Varsity Division II Ratings

Sarah Ramthun, Radio News Announcing; Lilly Johnson, Solo Improvisation; Mike Miller, Solo Improvisation; Michael Koch, Spontaneous Speaking.

Junior Varsity Division I Ratings

Simeon Roberts, Acting; Aurora Johnson, Poetry; Parker Hansen, Solo Improvisation; Owen Hamlow, Solo Musical Theatre; Reyna Prado, Storytelling; Allison Utley, Storytelling.

Junior Varsity Division II Ratings

Emma Connelly, Acting; Reyna Prado, Expository Address; Owen Hamlow, Poetry; Leif Hamilton, Solo Improvisation; Jordan Larrabee, Solo Improvisation; Mina DeJong, Solo Musical Theatre.