The Perry Speech Team just wrapped up a strong year for large group speech contest, sending multiple entries to state and even having an All-State qualifier, and now their focus is on individual speech this Saturday.

Speech Coach Wendy Bollhoefer says she’s sending 25 students participating in 37 different entries to Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School to compete in the district contest. Bollhoefer is pleased with the amount of students participating this year, which includes a lot more freshmen on the team than usual. In the days leading up to the competition, she’s hopeful to get a lot more practice time with the participants as it’s been lacking a little this year. Last year Perry sent two entries to All-State in individual speech contest, which Bollhoefer says directly related to how much time the students spent practicing.

“With individual, it’s up to the student to come in for rehearsal time and practice. Rylynn (Gilmore) was in with Miss (Allisa) Bahney almost every single day after school. And that is really what it takes to be really good at your area and your piece. So you can’t just expect to go onto state or even All-State if you’re never going to practice. It does take quite a bit of an investment.”

The Perry Speech Team will perform in an assortment of categories, with entries in spontaneous speaking, acting, literary program, public address, solo musical theater, original oratory, solo improv, prose, poetry, radio news, storytelling, reviewing, and after dinner speech. The competition is open to the public and will be held this Saturday starting at 8 a.m. There is a $3 suggested donation to attend, which will go towards the ADM Speech Team. In order to qualify for state, entries must receive a “I” rating at district. The State Individual Speech Contest will be held on Saturday, March 9th at Nevada High School.