The Fort Dodge Senior High School Large Group speech participants did exactly that and recently received honors for their work throughout the season.

First, a district meet was held and then groups advanced to state, where selections were made to earn All-State status.

Four Fort Dodge groups earned All-State status and will perform on Saturday inside CY Stephens Auditorium on the Iowa State University campus at the All-State Festival.

“Being selected for All-State is an honor,” said Large Group Speech instructor Lindey Krug. “Not only did they earn a Division 1 rating at the state contest, but they were selected as outstanding performers in their centers.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Lauren Patterson practices for “Phantom of the Opera.” Owen Hamlow, left, and Aidan Recker work on a scene during Large Group Speech, while Mina DeJong looks on.

“They get the opportunity to perform again at the All-State Festival for critics who are proven professionals in the field of acting, television, radio, film, and higher education.”

Fort Dodge was selected in three different categories. “Steel Magnolias” and “Small World” were picked for Ensemble Acting.

“Phantom of the Opera” was a Musical Theater choice and the Dodgers will also have a piece in Group Improvisation.

“Getting selected for All-State was amazing,” said Aidan Recker. “I’m very proud to be able to represent FDSH in Ames and I am also very proud of both of my groups. My improv group worked so hard and we had so much fun. I feel it is a perfect ending to my high school improv career with All-State Non-Performing.”

Composing the group for “Steel Magnolias” was Emma Connelly and Allison Utley.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla

“It means a lot. I’ve been nominated three years and it feels very rewarding as not only an actor, but someone who enjoys creativity,” Connelly said. “It means that growth and perseverance shine through at the end of the tunnel.

“What I like about speech is the community and the support, not only from our team, but you meet so many people, see so many acts and the best thing is just walking around at a contest and someone you don’t even know saying, “Hey you were great today.’ It makes you feel worth a million bucks.”

Sadie Shields, Kateryna Iamenko, Parker Gale, Aumod Hollins, Jenson Litwiller and Simeon Roberts were “Small World.”

“I’ve been honored to perform two events at All-State Speech this year,” Litwiller said. “But the journey our teams took getting there is what I enjoyed the most. As winter brings monotony and cloudy skies, speech is a great opportunity to bring a spark back into our season.

“Large group speech, and its many diverse categories, has allowed me to collaborate and compromise with peers and explore my love for the performing arts.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Aidan Recker practices during Large Group Speech.

Making up “Phantom of the Opera” was Mina DeJong, Syndal Castaneda Rogers, Lauren Patterson, Owen Hamlow, Aidan Recker and Litwiller.

“I think my favorite part about speech is the people you get to work with and the relationships you build during rehearsals, whether it be your peers or the coaches, everyone is putting so much work into the pieces and it shows during performances,” Patterson said. “Getting selected for All-State this year was super exciting as not only did our Musical Theater group “Phantom of the Opera” get selected, but so did our Improv team.

“It’s super rewarding to know the time my groups have put into the pieces paid off, and it’s exciting to know I’ve been a part of it. I couldn’t be more thankful for the coaches and my group members for being so dedicated to our groups, they truly make the many hours of work worth it and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

The Group Improvisation team, which earned All-State status, but won’t perform is Patterson, Brooklyn Kaloupek, Recker, Braden Kammerer and Kyle Pederson.

“I’m so proud of Lauren, Brooklyn, Kyle and Braden,” Recker said. “Without them All-State improv wouldn’t be possible. I’m also so very thankful to Dari Cook, Camden Doster, and Lilly Johnson for teaching me how to do improv for my sophomore year.”

There is a lot of preparation that goes into performing and putting together a piece.

“My students are amazingly dedicated,” Krug said. “The groups had two scheduled rehearsals a week with their coach, which is either myself, or one of my assistant coaches: Amber Rouse, Jenna Hendrix, or Rachel Loots.

“They will take time in-between those rehearsals to practice on their own — sometimes in another classroom, or sometimes in someone’s living room.”

The students also love being coached, which helps guide them.

“I am so thankful for my coaches, Jenna Hendrix and Lindey Krug,” Litwiller said. “Working with them, I have learned many skills and things about myself I would have never noticed.

“My biggest thanks go to God my Heavenly Father, who brings joy, laughter, and passion to my performances.”

The groups also take time to reach out to others that may be able to help them fine tune their act.

“They will schedule vocal rehearsals with Mr. Drees (choir director) or schedule times where they can rehearse in front of other groups to get peer feedback,” Krug said. “They are mixing and editing music, coming up with choreography or movement.

“One of the many things I love about speech in Iowa and the culture of our program here at FDSH is the level of collaboration the students have with their coaches. They get to have ownership of the art they create.”

The work that goes into putting together a piece takes time. After districts, groups receive feedback and then work to perfect their craft before performing at state.

“In between districts and state, we continue to rehearse as we did previously,” Krug said. “This time, we take into consideration the comments given to us by the judges and we fine tune areas that need more polish.”

About 72 students participated in Large Group Speech for the Dodgers.

“To me, speech is my winter sport,” Recker said. “It’s not nearly as physically demanding as cross country or tennis, but it does require lots of time and skill. What I love about speech is the community.

“All of my friends are in it and we are all striving to do better. I mean it when I say speech is my winter sport. The team and dedication of speech matches the energy of cross country, which I also loved. I’m so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity, and I will give my last performance my all.”

Brothers Jonah Mosier and Caleb Mosier, students at St. Edmond Catholic School, made it in musical theater with their piece “Man,” by Calvin Burger.

“This was Jonah and Caleb’s first time performing in Large Group with me,” said St. Edmond head coach Jim Hindt. “Jonah competed in Individual contests last year and moved on to State Contests.

“The improv group worked together last year as well. They were able to compete at the state competition last year too.”

St. Edmond had two groups reach state. Betsy Gruver, Aianna Kirby and Lizzy Tiernan advanced in improv.

“We had seven students compete in Large Group,” Hindt said. “That’s a big improvement from last year’s numbers. Still trying to grow the program. The kids are having a lot of fun and working hard. Getting some new students to step out of their comfort zone and do these performances is always a blessing.

“It’s gratifying to see them grow through the experience and gain more confidence. With that in mind, Jennifer Touney and Cora Anderson participated in One Act Play and Readers Theatre (with Betsy). They put in a lot of time and effort with their performances and made great strides.”

Manson Northwest Webster had three groups earn All-State status.

The Story was chosen to perform in Ames for Choral Reading. ANN News was selected as non-performing for Television Newscasting.

KSPRT is a non-performing selection for Radio Broadcasting.

Southeast Valley had a group selected for Short Film with their production of “Steven’s Curious Cases.”

Acting Spies from Emmetsburg was a non-performing selection for Ensemble Acting.