Two Montezuma Speech and Drama teams earn All-State honors

​     Camryn Brennan makes a point during a rehearsal session with the Musical Theatre production of “Chicago, Cell Block Tango. The group performance earned Montezuma All-State non-performing recognition at the State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 4. Camryn is joined by Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda and Hayley Burnett. Not pictured are Laila Kercheval and Addyson Probasco, both who took part in the production. The Choral Reading production of “Save Us a Seat,” also received All-State non-performing honors 

By J.O. Parker
 
     Montezuma High School Speech and Drama has been recognized for two large group events advancing in non-performing roles at the All-State Large Group Festival at Iowa State University on Saturday, Feb. 18.
   Musical Theatre - “Chicago, Cell Block Tango,” with Hayley Burnett, Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda, Laila Kercheval, Addyson Probasco, and Camryn Brennan has earned All-State non-performing recognition.   
    Choral Reading - “Save Us a Seat,” written by Earlene Taylor and Dianne Singleton, with Zoe Roberts, Lily Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Hayley Burnett, Haylee Walters, Kaya Latcham, Claire Erselius, Camryn Brennan, and Faith Ferry have also earned All-State non-performing recognition.
    “These are extremely difficult to earn and are well deserved,” said Montezuma Speech Coach Kelly Kaup. “Congratulations.”
    On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Montezuma Speech team traveled to Cedar Rapids, Washington High School with eight teams to compete in State Large Group Contest.
    “These students worked exceptionally hard and gave some of their best performances yet,” said Kaup. 
The following groups earned a Division 1 rating:
    Choral Reading category: “Save Us a Seat” - Zoe Roberts, LIly Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Hayley Burnett, Haylee Walters, Kaya Latcham, Claire Erselius, Camryn Brennan, and Faith Ferry.
    Musical Theater category - “Chicago, Cell Block Tango,” with Hayley Burnett, Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda, Laila Kercheval, Addyson Probasco, and Camryn Brennan.
    Musical Theater category - “Side Show” with Kaya Latcham, Lydia Singleton, Faith Ferry, Justine Theis, Bryn Fantazia, Owen Desrochers.
     Improv - Justine Theis, Laila Kercheval.
     Improv - Addyson Probasco, Taylor Wilcox, Claire Erselius, Lola Miller.
     Mime - “Life in Snapshots” - Bryn Fantazia, Loki Harris.
The following teams earned a Division II rating:
    Improv - Tayler Wickham and Owen Desrochers. 
   Radio Broadcast - Haylee Walters, Kaylynn Wanders, Loki Harris, Isabella Roorda, Cruz DeJong, Jack Erselius and Carson Van Der Hart.