Friday Jan. 22 was an eventful day for the Mid-Prairie High School speech team. Nine groups performed in the high school cafeteria for the Iowa High School Speech Association District Large Group Speech Contest.

Under the unfortunate circumstances of COVID, the students have been limited to wearing masks during their practices over the past two months, but for this performance the students were allowed to be maskless.

This contest was a success and allowed the students to thrive in an environment that was not precedent. Out of the nine events, seven will be advancing to the state contest on Feb. 6.

Each event was performed for an IHSSA certified judge at Mid-Prairie High School.

The following groups and MPHS students received an overall 1 or superior rating for their events. They will be advancing to State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 6:

Ensemble Acting, “Art of Manipulation” by Kyra Helmuth performed by Alexander Burnham, Christopher Burnham, Magnolia Graber and Kyra Helmuth;

Ensemble Acting, “Blind Date” by Samara Siskind performed by Olivia Caskey and Haydon Bailey;

Ensemble Acting, “From the Mouths of Babes” by Eva Anderson performed by Gavin Frascht, Kelby Gingerich, Terra Richardson and Elizabeth Meader.

Group Improv, “Transcondimentals” performed by Magnolia Graber, Emily Marner and Terra Richardson.

Musical Theatre, “I Love You Because” by Ryan Cunningham performed by Olivia Caskey, Gavin Frascht and Avery Slaubaugh.

Readers Theatre, “Bats in the Belfry” by Ed Vela performed by Alexander Burnham, Avery Frede, Kelby Gingerich, Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Meader.

The following groups and MPHS students received a 2 or good rating for their events:

Group Improv, “Table For Two” performed by Avery Frede and Zoe Fisher.

Group Improv, “Banana Boys” performed by Diego Ayala, Haydon Bailey and Christopher Burnham.

Speech Coaches at MPHS are Christine Meader and Lisa Helmuth.