Osky Speech Team finishes out year strong

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The Oskaloosa High School Speech team finished the year strong with a performance by Sophomore Bob Leonard at the IHSSA All-State Festival. Leonard competed in the Public Address category giving a speech by Hubert H. Humphrey. Leonard was nominated as an Outstanding Performer at the IHSSA State Festival on March 12th.

The Speech team started out its year on January 22nd at the IHSSA District Large Group Contest. 3 groups of students participated in the Readers Theater, Group Improvisation, and Radio Broadcasting categories. All three groups received a division one rating earning them a trip to the state contest, which was held on February 5th. At the state contest, the Readers Theater and Group Improvisation groups received an overall division two rating. The Radio Broadcasting Group received an overall division one rating.

After the Large Group team finished up, the individual events team went to contest. Nine students, Charlie Comfort, Robert Leonard, Nick Palmer, Angela Hyland, Morgan Barrett, Sharon Boer, Liz Stam, Emma Kain, and Brittney Courtney, competed in 17 different events. Of those who participated at districts, six students received division one ratings in 11 different events earning them a trip to the IHSSA State Contest.

State Contest was held on March 12th. Of those who participated at the state contest, Charlie Comfort, Emma Kain, Nick Palmer and Sharon Boer received a division two rating in one event. Charlie Comfort, Emma Kain, and Sharon Boer also received a division one rating in one event. Liz Stam and Bob Leonard both received a division one rating in two events. In addition, Bob Leonard received an All-State Nomination for his performance in one of his events at the state level. The team is coached by Jessica Weinreich, a teacher at Oskaloosa High School.