• Article Photo. Eric Upmeyer shows the School Board a map respresenting the 100+schools sending speech contestants.
    Eric Upmeyer shows the School Board a map respresenting the 100+schools sending speech contestants.

The Vinton-Shellsburg High School drama department and some local volunteers will be spending much of today scheduling events for the Iowa High School Speech Association State Individual Events Contest on Saturday, March 9.

That is also the day when the final two teams play for the Iowa High School State Basketball Championship.

With the knowledge that a large part of Vinton's population could be in Des Moines that day, VSHS Drama Coach Eric Upmeyer says that many volunteers are still needed for the event in Vinton that day.

While most of the judges have been lined up, there still is a need for many assistants, including room chairpersons (who introduce performers), greeters, runners and more. 

Upmeyer and speech co-coach Le Cox attended the recent school board meeting to discuss the contest. Upmeyer showed the board a map of Iowa with lines drawn from Vinton to the more than 100 other schools that sent students the last time VS hosted a state speech event. More than 1,000 high school students from the southeast quadrant of the state will compete in several events, including: Acting, prose, poetry, improvisation, solo musical theatre, spontaneous speaking, story-telling, reviewing, public address, after-dinner speaking, original oratory, radio news announcing and literary program. 

To volunteer, contact Upmeyer at the school at 319-436-4728, or via email: eric.upmeyer@vscsd.org.