Tri-County welcomes Individual Speech Contest

            Tri-County Community School District hosted approximately 500 students from 30 different schools-including English Valleys and Pekin-for a well attended Individual Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The show got started at 8 a.m. sharp, and lasted until just after 4 p.m., with students presenting in a wide range of categories including storytelling, musical theatre, one person plays and poetry throughout the district’s building. Each performer was rated on a scale of Division I to III, with a I needed to move on to the State Speech Contest to be held in two weeks at Vinton-Shellsburg. 

            Regardless of who went on, many used this contest as an opportunity for expression, including English Valleys junior Eric Rodby. This contest was the first individual performance for Rodby, who joined his school’s speech program upon recommendation from director Carrie Burdick after a performance in the fall musical. He went to State with his Improv group earlier this month and decided to continue in the program, choosing to read a Norse Mythology piece entitled “The Binding of Fenrir.”

            “I choose this piece because its been a favorite of mine for a long while,” Rodby said. “I knew I could do what I needed with this piece and it was the first piece I ever read of Norse mythology.”

Rodby presented the piece in front of a speech judge inside one of Tri-County’s music rooms, supported by his fellow English Valleys speech students and family. Fighting through nerves, he delivered an articulate reading of the fascinating story and was well-received by his peers.

            “I’ve been working with a great group of people,” Rodby said. “They’ve all supported me and were my standing foundation I needed for this.”

            While this was the first individual performance for this young man, Myrissa Garber of Tri-County was the complete opposite in terms of experience. Garber, a junior at the host school, was an All-State selection in Individual Speech last year and went to All-State with her performance group this year. She performed in two categories at the contest this year; a poem titled “Gruffalo” and a story called “Giraffes Can’t Dance.” Despite the funny names of her pieces, Garber put in the hours to further improve her skills.

            “I set a challenge for myself with choosing these pieces,” Garber said. “There are a lot of different voices I have to do and not be embarrassed to do them in front of others. I really love how they made me interact and made everyone laugh.”

Garber will go on to State with both pieces and plans to continue  to hone her craft in the meantime. A self described perfectionist, she took her second judge’s advice to heart to continue seriously practicing and maintain her performance. As someone who has been around speech since her older sister Megan was once part of the program, Garber feels she understands what it takes to go on to All-State again and keep her audience entertained along the way.

            “I’d come and watch my sister perform and developed a love for this and a bond with my instructor,” Garber said. “I like performing and have great support from people telling me I should do this.”

            Students are not the only ones with a busy day at Individual Speech Contest. Instructors keep track of their performers’ progress and do their best to be in person for as many performances as possible. Kendra Richardson, the speech instructor for Pekin School District, made her way from classroom to classroom to watch her students from start to finish. While ilnness has struck at the high school, Richardson commended her students and their preparation for this contest.

            “They have been pretty diligent about coming into rehearsals at least once a week before or after school, and they also have a rehearsal buddy to provide feedback for one another,” Richardson said. “ It’s been a really enjoyable process and I could not be more proud.”

            Another proud teacher is Vince Hrasky, the speech instructor for Tri-County. Though his duties as host required him to stay in the office as opposed to watching his students, he acknowledges the work they have put in despite Group All-State leaving less room for individual practices.

            “It’s not easy to prepare for individuals when three of our groups went to All-State and

takes up time for several of them,” Hrasky said. “I feel they did good today and we had some good judges. I would love for everyone to get a I, but good judges don’t just give those away.”

            Last but hardly least, was the work that many volunteers, families and students put in to make this year’s contest a timely success. The art boosters collected and served food for all the guests and their families, while Tri-County junior high and senior high students collected ballots, posted results and delivered items for Hrasky and the boosters.

            “The job our volunteers did was amazing,” Hrasky said. “These people are willing to give up so much of their time to help and take such pride in our school. It’s pretty neat and we’re proud of that.”

Tri-County Results

            Abbey Hartwig-Storytelling I, Musical Theatre I

            Miranda Little-Poetry I, Storytelling I

            Myrissa Garber-Poetry I, Storytelling I

            Emma Miover-Storytelling I

            Audeanna Finch-Storytelling I

            Avery Roorda-Poetry II

            Quintin McAdams- Public Address II

            Jenna Leer-Acting II

            Tanner Lundy-Prose I

            Mckenzie Hammes-Poetry I

            Skyler Fisher-Acting I

            Jennifer Steen-Acting I

            Zoe Ogden-Expository Address II

            Lucas Haberling-Poetry II

            Grant Rauhauser-Improv II

English Valleys  Results

            Lyla Klett-Storytelling & Original Oratory I

            Emma McCombs-Interpreting Poetry I

            Mason Allie-Interpreting Poetry I

            Margaret Anthony-Interpreting Poetry I

            Austin Galarza–Musical Theater I

            Jacquelyn Barney–Spontaneous Speaking I

            Keenan/Kelly Hannah–Storytelling I

            Eric Rodby-Prose II

            Autum Higdon-Prose II and Original Oratory II

            Chloe Tapkin-Prose II

            Brooke Coffman-Prose II

            Isabel Coffman-Lit. Program II and Original Oratory II

            Angela Wells-Musical Theater II

            Alaina Allen-Spontaneous Speaking II

            Christina Berrier-Spontaneous Speaking II

            Anthony Moxley-Improv II

            Abby Garringer-Storytelling II

            Katryna Jaennette-Poetry II

Pekin Results

            Loraine Dodson-Spontaneous Speaking II

            Michael Fink-Storytelling I

            Lillian Brown-After Dinner Speaking I

            Cameron Little-After Dinner Speaking I, Improv I

            Gabi Rutherford-Poetry II, Literary Program I

            Loraine Dodson-Prose II

            Hailey Criswell-Musical Theatre II

            Clayton Culp-Musical Theatre II, Acting II

            Jade Harper-Storytelling I

            Logan Kates-Expository Address I, Improv II

            Kodi Dailey-Original Oratory II

            Avery Phillips-Musical Theatre II

            Jazmyne Gainer-Poetry II