Big Day at a Small School

Lone Tree schools host district large group speech and drama competition

Posted 1/29/20

The Lone Tree Community School District was a hub of creativity on Saturday as approximately 500 students from 26 schools converged for the large group speech and drama competition.

This was the …

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Big Day at a Small School

Lone Tree schools host district large group speech and drama competition

Posted

The Lone Tree Community School District was a hub of creativity on Saturday as approximately 500 students from 26 schools converged for the large group speech and drama competition.

This was the second consecutive year that Lone Tree hosted the district contest.

“We hosted for the first time last year,” said Tanya McCarty, Lone Tree speech coach and one of the event organizers. “We had to figure out what worked and what didn’t.”

Last year, a snowstorm forced the Saturday event to be postponed until Monday. The weather cooperated this year.

“We had to squeeze everything into a half day,” McCarty recalled. “Last year was a learning experience. We adjusted and rolled with the punches.”

Planning for this year’s competition began almost immediately following last year’s event but really began in earnest in the fall.

“We started to hit it hard in October,” McCarty said. “We had to arrange the judges, the schedule, concessions and tons of volunteers from the community. We had to plan for 500 kids and about 1,500 spectators to take over our little school.”

Lone Tree’s effort did not go unnoticed.

“Lone Tree, while a small school, put huge effort and consideration into hosting district contest for us this year,” Mid-Prairie speech coach Christine Meader said. “We are impressed and grateful for how smoothly and timely everything went.”

In addition to helping to organize the event, McCarty was busy prepping students for the competition, something she has done for 16 years.

“Saturday was a great contest day, and everything went well,” she said. “As the coach, though, I am exhausted.”

She added that after several years of declining participation, Lone Tree’s numbers were up this year.

“There’s a place for everybody in speech, McCarty said.

Lone Tree had four groups that earned a 1 rating and advanced to the state competition at Cedar Rapids Washington High School on Feb. 8.

Those groups were:

• Choral Reading: “Back in the Day” with Lilian Miller, Kylie Patterson, Kayla Dautremont, Holley Johnson, Emma Slaughter, Ella Buser, Braden Viers, Bailey Pierson, Allison Marshek, Alex Viner, Abby Buckman, Whitney Willoz, Natalie Patterson, Macie Bopp and Lindsay Werbach.

• Reader’s Theater: “First on the Rope” with Macie Bopp, Allison Marshek, Sammy Loving, Ashley Yedlik, Lauren Bell and Skylar Smith.

• Group Improvisation: Adam Knock, Alberto Cortes, Kyle Zaruba, Nick Floyd and Skylar Smith.

• Group Mime: “Toy Trouble” with Sara Branson and Ashley Yedlik.

Mid-Prairie has eight groups advancing to the state competition.

“The students have definitely put in a lot of hard work and heart into their performances, and Natalie (Silbaugh) and I always find ourselves amazed and inspired by what they bring to contest,” Meader said. “While there is disappointment in the situations where the entries didn’t advance to state, the disappointment sure isn’t in the efforts or abilities that those students put into their performances.”

Earning a 1 rating from Mid-Prairie were:

• Group Improv: “Daddy DeVito” with Diego Alaya, Mason Burrows, Dylan Bunting and Noah Frede.

• Group Improv: “Transcondimentals” with Em Marner, Terra Richardson and Magnolia Graber.

• Ensemble Acting: “Student Council” with Liv Caskey, Gavin Frascht, Kelby Gingerich, Kyra Helmuth, Ainsley Miller and Marina Richardson.

• Ensemble Acting: “Tourist Attraction” with Terra Richardson and Levi Stultz.

• Ensemble Acting: “Crash Positions” with Magnolia Graber and Cooper Thomas.

• Musical Theatre: “(title of show)” with Em Marner and Kyra Helmuth.

• Readers Theatre: “Sorry, Wrong Number” with Ethan Bontrager, Danielle Brown, Jesi Donaldson, Hannah Glick, Gabi Knepp, Elizabeth Meader, Trevor Nida, Emily Righter, Andrew Stultz and Riley Yoder.

• One Act Play: “4 A.M.” with Marina Beachy, Ethan Bontrager, Danielle Brown, Alex Burnham, Zoe Fisher, Avery Frede, Kelby Gingerich, Gabi Knepp, Owen McArtor, Shian Muller, Trevor Nida, Marina Richardson, Emily Righter, Jennifer Sanchez, Andrew Stultz, Levi Stultz, Cooper Thomas, Elizabeth Meader and Mason Burrows.

Highland High School had one group receiving a 1 rating and advancing to the state competition, the Group Improv group “The Trio Trees” with Kadin Jepson, Jacob Allen and Kyle Whestine.

“Overall, amazing and memorable performances from our Huskies,” said Highland speech coach Jayme Kallaus. “They definitely showed their creativity and Huskie Pride. Mr. (Brian) Haymond and I are proud to coach such talented individuals.”