Decorah High School Speech Team Advances with 48 to State Contest

Decorah High School’s individual speech team achieved remarkable success at the District Individual Speech Contest held on February 28, 2024. Out of a total of 53 performances, an impressive 48 participants received a rating of I, signifying excellence, and will advance to the state contest at Maquoketa Valley High School on March 14, 2024.

The speech team, coached by a dedicated group including Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, Carrie Kauffman, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, Lyra McKnight, Allysen Lovstuen, and David Grouws, demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment. The coaches expressed their pride in the students, stating, “We are immensely impressed with our students and the performances they delivered on Saturday. They continue to make us proud. We are also so grateful for our community and the work put in by school staff, parents, and other community members to host the District Individual Speech Contest.”

Outstanding Performances by Decorah Students

The following students from Decorah High School received a rating of I (excellent) for their outstanding performances in grades 10-12:

– **Original Oratory**: Josephine Lockhart, Sophia McGee, Clarence Nimrod
– **Public Address**: Olivia Rissman
– **Expository Address**: Jackson Irwin, Ava Hanson
– **Storytelling**: Clarence Nimrod, Kira Dowden
– **Prose**: Olivia Volkmann, Kennedy Carlson, Jayden Lundtvedt
– **Poetry**: Teagan Menke, Jackson Irwin, Griffin Brauer
– **Review**: Spencer Christensen, Noah Potvin, Colin Thompson
– **Literature Program**: Addi Ivy, Kaya Johnson, Emma Cline
– **Solo Musical**: Mikayla Hiner, Emma Cline, June Breitenbach-Dirks
– **Acting**: Margaret Hahn, Vivian Searcy, Mikayla Hiner
– **After Dinner Speaking**: Caleb Johnson, Sawyer Courtney, Grace Stockman
– **Spontaneous Speaking**: Noah Potvin
– **Radio News**: Patrick Gallagher, Jayden Lundtvedt, Jillian Volz
– **Individual Improv**: Brody Darling, Vivian Searcy, Caleb Johnson
– **VideoCasting**: Griffin Brauer, Ava Hanson, Claire Ko

The students who earned a rating of II (good) include:

– **Public Address**: Fox Lana
– **Spontaneous Speaking**: Alex Mercado-Arneson, Colin Thompson

In the ninth grade category, students also excelled. Those receiving a rating of I (excellent) include:

– **Original Oratory**: Nathaniel Crose
– **Expository Address**: Lula McAbee
– **Prose**: Nessa Kane
– **Poetry**: Lula McAbee, Veda Shimek
– **Solo Musical**: Simon Potvin
– **Acting**: Harper Menke
– **After Dinner Speaking**: Sofia Hageman
– **VideoCasting**: Xavier Ahrndt

Students earning a rating of II (good) in the ninth grade include:

– **Public Address**: Xavier Ahrndt
– **Solo Musical**: Nessa Kane

The success of the Decorah High School speech team reflects not only the talent of the students but also the dedication of their coaches and the support of the community. As they prepare for the state contest, the team is eager to showcase their skills and continue their tradition of excellence in speech competitions.