The district competition for the Large Group Speech Contest was held recently, and several groups from Keota have advanced to the state competition. In order to advance to state, which will be held at Cedar Rapids Washington High School on February 4th, the groups needed to receive a I rating. The Keota Speech Team traveled to Ottumwa for the district contest, and eight groups are headed to state. They include the 9th Grade Choral Reading, Varsity Choral Reading, two Ensemble Acting groups, Reader’s Theater, and three group improvisation teams.

Keota Speech Coach Gina Bennett was pleased with her team’s results, saying, “It was really a good day for us. The kids really stepped up that day. Knowing all their hard work, there’s a payoff in the end for all that they do early mornings and late evenings. And we’re just real proud to be representing our school in such a big way at the contest.” Bennett additionally was complimentary of her assistant coach, Mike McNurlen, saying his creativity and passion helped make the kids successful. District competition has one judge per room who decides a group’s rating, while state competition has three judges per room. If two of three judges give a I rating as well as a recommendation, the group will advance to All-State on February 25th at Iowa State University.