Four earn Individual Speech All-State odds in modified state contest

Fine arts performers have a popular mindset to expect the unexpected and the Hampton-Dumont-CAL Individual Speech team displayed that motto in spades.

On Saturday, 50 speech acts participated in a modified Iowa State Individual Speech contest at Hampton-Dumont-Middle School. Initially, the state competition was to be held among all participating schools at Starmont High School Saturday. Due to concerns over the spreading COVID-19 pandemic, the competition was cancelled. Schools were then asked to host their own individual contests, which H-D-CAL did. In order to do so, the school needed to find three judges for each of its two centers where acts performed.

Because the school was able to recruit the appropriate number of judges, students were able to receive All-State nominations. Despite the unusual conditions, four students – Brenna Vallery, Adamari Valerio, Elle Westhoff and Mickey Rosenberg – earned All-State nominations. While the All-State Festival has also been cancelled, nominees will still receive medals and be recognized by the state.

Overall, the team received 43 Division I ratings and seven Division II ratings.

Buseman said she was overwhelmed by the students’ response to the circumstances and how they performed despite plans going slightly awry.

“It would have been a shame to not have the opportunity to finish out such a great season,” she said. “Especially for our senior members, they were really bummed when they thought the contest had to be cancelled but we found a way to keep the dream alive.”