The Mid-Prairie speech team competed Saturday in the individual district speech contest, and they are sending six students in nine categories to the state competition. In order to advance to state, students needed to receive a I rating at the district competition. Three from the Mid-Prairie speech team are headed to state in multiple categories. Michael Meserole will be taking his storytelling and literary program pieces to state, Isaiah Sents advanced in the solo music theater and individual improvisational acting categories, and Lauryn Weiss received I ratings for her prose and acting pieces. Also headed to the state competition are Elijah Meader in poetry, Lillian Radeboldt-Hopper in reviewing, and Anna Yoder in acting.

Mid-Prairie Speech Coach Dave Helmuth says, “I was just really proud of everyone. Just seeing how much work they put into it, and having somebody validate that hard work was just awesome to watch. And my favorite part of the day was just watching the students encourage each other. When they found out their scores, whether they were happy or discouraged, they kind of rallied around each other. It was a really awesome thing to see as a coach.” The state competition will be held at Vinton-Shellsburg High School on March 11th. Individuals who receive I ratings and are nominated as an outstanding performer will advance to All-State at the University of Northern Iowa on March 27th.