Local speech groups take I rating at state

(Photo contributed) These Le Mars Community High School Large Group Speech students competed at the State Large Group Speech Festival Saturday in Le Mars. Fourteen of the 19 entries received I ratings. [Click to enlarge]

Le Mars Community High School had 14 of its 19 entries in the contest earn a I and two of Gehlen Catholic School's four groups earned a I rating.

In addition, two LCS entries and one Gehlen Catholic entry were also nominated for Large Group All-State Speech Festival Feb. 20 in Ames.

The northwest district contest was held at the Le Mars Community High School and Middle School complex.

"We had a terrific contest," said Coach Erin Ohrlund.

Having the contest in familiar surroundings helped LCS students put on some of their best performances this year, Ohrlund said.

LCS entries receiving I ratings were:

* One Act -- Adam Bates, Abi Pelelo-Ray, Alex Cook, Blake Sims, Cassie DeLarm, Channing PIck, Chris Clay, Domi Lempares, Gail Bauler, Hillary Haden, Jessie O'Neill, Julie Westra, Katie Connor, Katie Frerichs, Loyne Medrano, Maria Ketelsen, Michael Sauer, Paige Otterson, Rebecca Ahlers and Sofia Pereira.

* Readers Theatre -- Abi Pelelo-Ray, Blake Sims, Cassie DeLarm, Chris clay, Domi Lempares, Gail Bauler, Haley Hayworth, Hannah Barrett, Jill Ahlers, Kailan Harms, Katelyn Ewing, Katharine Robotham, Mackenzie DeJong, Megan Sitzmann and Sam Leonard.

* Choral Reading -- Alissa Zink, Andrea Kelly, Deanna Le, Hannah Barrett, Jennifer Bates, Kristen Ahlers, Mackenzie DeJong, Megan Sitzmann, Michael Sauer, Nikki Sluiter, Sam Schroeder and Emily Johnson.

* Ensemble Acting -- Words, Words, Words -- Kelsey Clay, Rebecca Luksan and Yashila Permeswaran.

*Ensemble Acting: Mix and Match -- Becca Clay, Nate Irwin, Nick Manthe and Kim Ohrlund.

* Ensemble Acting -- Soap Opera -- Carter Daniels, Kris Ohrlund, Palani Permeswaran, Tiara Wentz.

* Group Mime -- Workin' Out -- Kelsey Clay, Morgan Ohm, Erin Kommes, Yashila Permeswaran.

* Group Mime -- Ballet for Beginners -- Deanna Le, Erica Plantz and Rachel Meredith.

* Group Mime -- Babysitting: Behind the Scenes -- Andrea Kelly, Nikki Sluiter, Stephanie Young and Kailan Harms.

* Group Mime -- Cinderella -- Becca Clay, Dani Bird, Jennifer Bates, Palani Permeswaran, Tiara Wentz.

* Solo Mime -- Birthday Bash -- Channing Pick.

* Group Improv -- Kayla Hohbach, Emma Borden, Ben Rahn.

* Group Improv -- Carter Daniels, Kris Ohrlund, Sam Leonard.

* Musical Theatre -- Legally Blonde -- Deanna Le, Emily Johnson, Kim Ohrlund, Rachel Meredith and Rachel Parry.

Gehlen entries receiving a Division I rating were:

* Ensemble Acting -- Team Zing -- Josh Vaske, Mary Henrich and Paige Ellensohn.

* One Act -- The Thomas Paine Panther -- Josh Vaske, Sana Naqvi, Mary Henrich, Michael Lamoreux, Sarah Jentz, Greg Probst, Derek Probst, Paige Ellensohn and student director Rachelle Lipp. This group was nominated for All-State.

"Ms. Rogers has done a phenomenal job with the students," said Lisa Niebuhr of Gehlen Catholic. "We couldn't be prouder of her or our students."

Five LCS groups received II ratings. They are:

* Ensemble Acting -- 'Night, Mother -- Katey Lempares and Nicole Van Otterloo.

* Radio Broadcasting -- Alicia Remmick, Angie Breuer, Desirae Small and Nicole Seible.

* Group Mime -- Jewelry Heist -- Anna Tonsfeldt, Cheree Jenn and Paige Groetken.

* Solo Mime -- The Reluctant Eskimo -- Adam Curry.

* Group Improv -- Alissa Zink, Nate Irwin, Nick Manthe and Rachel Parry.

Two Gehlen groups received a II rating.

* Group improv -- Team Argyle -- Lauren Sitzmann, Ashley Ellensohn and Greg Probst.

* Group Improv -- Team I -- Micah Neary, Derek Probst and Rachelle Lipp.

Eighty-two teams from the Northwest District were represented in the contest.

"We don't know exactly how many people were here, but the school was packed full as thousands of people came to town for this event," said Ohrlund.

Ohrlund said she and assistant coach Sherri Permeswaran are very appreciative of the parents, staff, community members and students who volunteered to help the contest run so smoothly.

"Many coaches and spectators complimented us on our wonderful facilities and friendly workers," Ohrlund added.

"Although we were exhausted, Mrs. Permeswaran and I looked at each other at the end of the day and said, 'This has been a fun season!' We have truly enjoyed working with these energetic, imaginative kids," Ohrlund said.

The LCS Group Mime "Cinderella" will perform at the All-State Festival Feb. 20.

"This is not a competition, just an exhibition. In each category there is a critic who gives comments and selects one group as that day's winner of the traveling banner," said Ohrlund.

The LCS mime "Workin' Out" was also selected as a non-performing group.

"The Cinderella mime is one of the best mimes I have ever seen," said Ohrlund.

The story unfolds in such a clear, charming way that even non-mime fans have no trouble following the plot.

"Mrs. Permeswaran and the students put in many extra hours to create a humorous, clever, and entertaining seven-minute re-enactment of the familiar story. We are tremendously proud of them," she said.

Gehlen Catholic's One Act Play, "The Thomas Paine Panther" was also selected as a non-performing nomination for All-State.

Ohrlund indicated LCS has had many groups go to All-State in the past.

She explained judges may nominate as many groups as they wish, and then they rank the groups. Judges do not confer, and there is no minimum or maximum number they can nominate.

Iowa State Speech Association representatives take the ballots and tally them, and then they use a point system to determine which groups are selected. Because of time constraints, only the top few groups can perform, but all groups that are selected are considered All-Staters.