The Colfax-Mingo Speech Team started its recruitment and preparation early this year not knowing what the season would hold, and after many practice sessions and decisions had its first contest virtually late in January. Groups recorded their pieces, sent them to the judges and awaited results. Of Colfax-Mingo’s three groups, two went to state, having received I ratings at districts.
One of these groups was Freshman Radio, comprised of: Rachael Uecker, Cassidy Smith, Merritt McConeghey, Ashton Byal and Lio Winklepleck. They performed a radio sketch about the bubonic plague hitting Europe in the mid-14th century, and, with sound editing by Uecker, created a lively and informative piece. After some re-recording sessions and additional editing, a final piece was sent to state contest, where the group received an “Overall I” rating, the highest achievable.
The varsity speech group consisting of Sam Pierce, Emma Arndt, Lillie McKee, Tanner Smith and Rori Wheeler settled on a celebration of the 19th Amendment, choosing a Reader’s Theater piece called “Failure is Impossible” that commemorates the fight for Women’s Suffrage. They also received a I rating at districts and full I-s across the board at state.
The speech team then turned its attention to individual speech, with students practicing, refining and writing before performing Feb. 27 at district individuals and March 13 at state individuals.
Individual events:
Individuals participate in district individual speech contest. These students recorded their performances and sent them in to North Scott High School’s virtual contest. The participants were:
• Emma Arndt, Solo Musical Theater, “Maybe” from Annie.
• Emma Arndt, Interpretive Reading — Poetry, various original works.
• Lillie McKee, Interpretive Reading — Poetry, a collection on self-love.
• Rori Wheeler, Interpretive Reading — Poetry, a collection on melancholy.
• Lio Winklepleck, Interpretive Reading — Poetry, a collection of fire and stars.
• Ayla Campbell, interpretive reading — prose, “Adventures in Reading,” an original piece.
• Ayla Campbell, original oratory, “The Magic of Christmas.”
• Samantha Pierce, interpretive reading — prose, “The Mask of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe.
• Kayd Pleggenkuhle, spontaneous speaking
Students receivin.g a I (excellent) rating moved on to the virtual state contest judged by three judges, and the ratings are averaged for an overall rating with the following results:
• Lio Winklepleck, poetry, II.
• Lillie McKee, poetry, I.
• Ayla Campbell, prose, I.
• Emma Arndt, solo musical theater, I.
• Rori Wheeler, poetry, I (received a I rating from all three judges).