(LE MARS)– The Iowa High School Speech Association Large Group District contest will host 26,000 kids across the state of Iowa this Saturday…and here in the northwest corner, the event is being held in Le Mars.
Craig Ihnen is the Executive Director of the IHSSA. He holds a special place in his heart for Le Mars, as he taught here for 16 years prior to becoming involved with the Speech Association. As an educator he says that giving kids the opportunity to excel in public speaking is more important now than ever before.
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Those interested in attending the district competition this weekend are encouraged to do so. Ihnen said there will be many interesting things to take in.
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Erin Ohrlund is in her 7th year as the Director of the Large Group Speech Program at Le Mars Community High School. She says that Group Improv is a favorite event among Le Mars students.
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Ohrlund says that 72 Le Mars Community High School students are participating in the District Speech Contest this Saturday, as are students from 26 other schools including Gehlen Catholic, Marcus, Remsen and MOC-Floyd Valley.
Those earning the rating of a 1 will move onto state contest in Sioux City. Orhlund tells us that the fact that all participants have the possibility to move on makes this event a contest, but not a competition.
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The Northwest Iowa District Large Group speech competition takes place at Le Mars Community High School/Middle School this Saturday, January 22nd. The contest runs from 8am until 5pm and is open to the public. A $3 per person donation is suggested at the door. (News report by Angela Drake, image courtesy IHSSA)
