For the Fort Dodge Large Group participants, it was the behind-the-scene work that helped them garner top state honors.

The Dodgers took 17 groups to the state speech competition, where the Dodgers brought home 10 Division I ratings.

“As usual, our students made me very proud this past weekend at the state Large Group speech contest,” said Large Group coach Lindey Krug. “They walked away with 10 Division I ratings, seven Division II’s and three all-state groups.”

Three of those groups were chosen as all-state selections. Two of those groups will perform at the All-State Festival on Feb. 18 at Iowa State University in Ames.

“To receive all-state status, the group has to have earned a Division I rating and at least two of the three judges have to indicate that they thought the performance was outstanding in their category,” Krug said. “Unfortunately, not all nominated groups get to perform at the All-State Festival on Feb. 18. Based on performance space and time, the All-State committee uses a formula to determine which All-State nominees get to perform and which do not.

“Our musical theater piece ‘Frankenstein’ and our veteran group improvisation team made the cut.”

The Dodger students put a lot of work into their craft to put on the best performance they could.

“Being selected for all-state was an incredible honor,” said senior Grace Casciato. “As a senior, it was especially meaningful to see our efforts rewarded. We had practiced often and scheduled extra practices outside of our regular times in order to be ready.

“When we arrived at the state contest and performed, it was exciting to see our hard work come to fruition.”

The Musical Theatre group of Michael Wagner, Brayden Schmieder, Joshua Madden, Olivia Wood, Sydney Gebers, Abby Meyer, Ella Champagne and Resse Pederson were selected as all-state.

The group performed a piece from “Frankenstein.”

“Making All-State shows the amount of time and dedication you put into something you love,” Schmieder said. “A small amount of students that try out for All-State make it, and that means you are the best of the best in Iowa.

“Groups practice for hours to perfect some of the smallest details just to show that they can be the best.”

The Ensemble Acting group of Schmieder, Madden, Aaron Amhof, Gabby Schumacher, Casciato and Pederson performed “Mirrors.”

“Receiving All-State honors means that you are the best of the best in your category in Iowa,” Amhof said. “Many hours were spent by each group rehearsing, and making their pieces the best they can be.

“Being selected is an honor and it’s an amazing performance.”

Nathan Beekman, Mikeal Campbell, Jacob Marxen and Jack Shimkat earned All-State status for their work in Group Improvisation.

“My team has been working together for three years. Our first year we made All-State, but because of COVID they didn’t actually have an All-State ceremony,” Campbell said. “So this year feels extra special because we will actually be able to compete at All-State. In the past years, it was just myself, Nathan Beekman, and Jacob Marxen as a group. This year we added a new member, Jack Shimkat.

“Jack helped elevate our group to get us back to all-state. We spend our time working on our improv skills, but also just building chemistry with each other. The team has put in plenty of hours into the craft and it’s a great relief to see it all paying off.”