LCHS, Gehlen students take I's at State Individual Speech Contest

Students from Gehlen Catholic and Le Mars Community High School took home a bundle of Division I ratings from the Individual Events (IE) Speech District contest Feb. 28 at Woodbury Central School in Moville.

Le Mars Community students competed in 46 events, with 36 performers earning Division I (excellent) ratings and the opportunity to advance to the state contest March 14 in Fort Dodge.

Gehlen Catholic had 13 entries by 10 students in Saturday's competition. Eleven of the entries earned Division I ratings and will advance to compete at the state contest at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge March 14.

LCS students earning a Division I rating are:

Acting -- Sarah Cargin, Bethany Fischer, Ellie Hemmingson, Kim Ohrlund, Tiara Wentz

After Dinner Speaking -- Kristen Ahlers, Becca Clay, Palani Permeswaran

Expository Address -- Jill Ahlers, Becca Clay, Palani Permeswaran

Improvisational Acting -- Carter Daniels, Sam Leonard, Nick Manthe, Kris Ohrlund

Literary Program -- MacKenzie DeJong, Ellie Hemmingson, Deanna Le, Tiara Wentz

Poetry -- Domi Lempares, Abi Pelelo-Ray

Prose -- Rebecca Ahlers, Angie Breuer, Andrea Kelly

Radio News -- Abby Barrett, Breeanna Pierce, Sam Schroeder

Reviewing -- Hillary Haden

Spontaneous -- Abby Barrett, Kris Ohrlund

Storytelling -- Hannah Barrett, Casey Leonard, Kim Ohrlund, Channing Pick, Sam Schroeder, Alissa Zink

Gehlen Catholic students earning a Division I rating include:

Acting -- Anna Geier, Mary Henrich, Sana Naqvi

Expository Address -- Sana Naqvi

Improvisation -- Michael Lamoreux

Poetry -- Josh Vaske, Lindsay Berkenpas

Radio News -- Melissa Kellen

Public Address -- Sarah Jentz, Jackie Kessenich

After Dinner Speaking -- Brittany Jaminet

Ten LCHS performers earned Division II (good) ratings. They are:

Acting: Emma Gorden, Nate Irwin, Rachel Parry, Katherine Robotham

Expository Address: Mike Ahlers

Improv: Rachel Parry

Poetry: Katelyn Ewing, Jessie O'Neill, Justina Schimek

Radio News: Liz Orris

"All the students did well and pushed themselves in each of their categories," said Elizabeth Rogers, Gehlen Catholic speech coach. "I am proud of them, and I hope to see them work hard these next two weeks to polish their pieces to prepare for State."

Le Mars Community students are coached by Robbin Hermsen, Erin Ohrlund and Sherri Permeswaran, as well as several other teachers who let students practice with them or perform in front of classes.

"After putting in weeks of hard work, our students performed magnificently," said Permeswaran.

"In addition, most of the team went directly from the speech contest to the Heelan Show Choir competition in Sioux City. The students were on the bus for speech by 6:30 a.m. and didn't return home from show choir until 11:30 p.m.," she continued.

"I am proud of their dedication to LCHS activities and of their behavior. They represented Le Mars in a very classy way. And their show choir performance was amazing, too." Permeswaran added.