Montezuma Speech students earn All-State Large Group honors

The Montezuma Speech program had three categories earn All-State recognition honors. They included Musical Theater, from left, shown is Madalyn Fleming, Ashlyn Huff, Haley Roorda and Tia Shaffer. The group performed “Little Women.”

  Three large group speech entries from Montezuma have been awarded the Iowa High School Speech Associations great honor of being recognized as All-State Large Group Performances.
   In the category of Musical Theater was “Little Women,” performed by Madalyn Fleming, Ashlyn Huff, Haley Roorda and Tia Shaffer. In Group Improvisation, a strong team led by Seniors Kiara Bru, Jacob Facile, Ally Gunderson, Haley Roorda and Junior Lexi Ferneau earned top honors.
   Earning the esteemed honor as an All-Freshman Musical Theater group performing “The Little Mermaid,” was Camryn Brennan, Faith Ferry, Kaya Latcham, Isabella Roorda, Lily Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Madison VanZee.
   These groups competed at State Large Group contest after passing through district competition and received all “1” ratings from their judges. In addition, they were nominated as outstanding by the judges and as a result receive the All-State recognition.
   Due to Covid, the actual All-State Festival, usually held on the ISU campus, will not be held, so all nominations for this event will receive the distinction of the award.
    “It is a tremendous honor in any year, but to be able to persevere and work together to achieve this level in a year with so many challenges is an extraordinary achievement,” noted Speech Coaches Kelly Kaup and Liesl Roorda.

Editor's Note: ​This story was submitted by Montezuma Coaches Kelly Kaup & Liesl Roorda.