Cedar Rapids Washington High School is the site of today’s Iowa High School Speech Association’s State Large Group Contest. Multiple area schools had teams qualify for the competition by receiving a Division 1 rating at their respective district contests two weeks ago.

Twenty-six Washington High School students are competing today in a total of nine different events, the most of any area school. Just behind them is Mid-Prairie. The Golden Hawks had eight groups advance to state, with three in Ensemble Acting, two in Musical Theatre, and one Reader’s Theatre Group.

Keota leads the area in total students attending the competition, with 35 advancing after the district contest hosted at their school. This includes two One Act Plays, two Ensemble Acting groups, and two Reader’s Theatre groups.

Five Lone Tree groups include one Reader’s Theatre, one Choral Reading, and two Group Improvisations. 24 students in total are representing the Lions today.

WMU is sending two teams to state, with one Ensemble Acting group, and one Short Film. Sigourney, Columbus and WACO each have one team competing in Short Film, Reader’s Theatre and Group Improvisation, respectively.

Highland had one group qualify as well in the Radio Broadcasting category. Students include Brendan Schnoebelen, Allyana Pokorny, Taylor Forbes, Rayne Foley, Gwen Piette and Greta Piette.

Groups who advance at the state contest will earn a trip to the Large Group All State Festival on Saturday, February 18 at Iowa State University.