AHS Speech Participates in IHSSA Large Group State Contest

Students from Ames High School recently competed in the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) Large Group State Competition held at Waukee High School on February 4, 2023. Of the seven groups that competed, four earned Division One ratings including Ensemble Acting, Short Film, Ensemble Acting, and Group Improvisation. Participants included:

Division 1 Rating

• Ensemble Acting, “Killer Roommates” 
  Participants: Ember Biggs, Harvey Haggas, and Amelia Yoder
• Short Film, “Perfectionista” 
  Participants: Marin Knight, Maia Westort, Cebilha Kateti, & Kianna Testroet
• Ensemble Acting, “Romeo & Juliet: A Tale of Two Balconies” 
  Participants: Aster Mund, Leo Sullivan, Lily Klindt, & Tatum Tharp
• Group Improvisation
  Participants: Ember Biggs, Harvey Haggas, and Amelia Yoder

Division 2 Rating

• Short Film, “Ask me a’Moider” 
  Participants: Sophia Vernon, Jessie Ask, Samuel Davis, Makayla Kepely
• Musical Theatre, “Newsies” 
  Participants: Aster Mund, Avie Niemi, Caroline Brandon, Dunkin Bearson, Gabriella Teske, Leo Sullivan, Lydia Hehr
• Readers Theatre, “The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body”
  Participants: Avie Niemi, Caroline Brandon, Dunkin Bearson, Elijah Sheldon, Gabriella Teske, Lydia Hehr, Marin Knight, & Tatum Tharp

Of the four groups receiving Division 1 ratings, one group was nominated for All State as a non-performing entry. The Ensemble Acting group who performed “Killer Roommates” consisting of Biggs, Harvey, and Yoder, who also wrote the short story, will not perform at the All-State Festival but they are being recognized for their excellence. 

Students are coached by AHS language arts teachers, Chuck Ripley and Kate Engelkes.