News : Eastern Iowa\'s best speech students fill VSHS for State event

Annie Meyer gestures while she recalls her grandmother's handwriting while reciting her oratory.

They lined the halls and filled the cafeteria and gymnasium of the Vinton-Shellsburg High School, seemingly talking to them selves.

They came from many miles away, bringing duffel bags, pillows and radios. Many brought other items, from fishing gear to an inflatable cow to a child's pool (complete with accessories).

That's what happens when your district hosts the Iowa High School Speech Association’s State Individual Events Contest.

Approximately 1,200 performers from the southeast quarter of Iowa spent much of the day in Vinton, either at Vinton-Shellsburg High School or the Middle School.

The participants included 14 Vinton-Shellsburg students. One of the first to perform Saturday was Annie Meyer, who wrote and presented an Original Oratory on the importance of handwriting.

Some of the V-S students competed in two events. Danisha Plasden's' schedule included one event at the Middle School at 1:30, followed by another event at 1:45 at the high school.

The fishing gear, cow and pool are props for some of the speech events, which included: Storytelling, poetry, reviewing, spontaneous speaking, prose, radio news, literary program, acting, improv, expository address, public address, after-dinner speaking and musical theater.

The best performers will be selected for the All-State event.

V-S performers today included: Stephanie Lash, Annie Meyer, Alysha Wehage, Wes Lyons, Tess Noeller, Nikki Thompson, Willow Huber, Danisha Pladsen, Emma Horst, Liz Moen, Bradley Bergan, Liz Fischer and Will Hancock.