Mount Vernon has 74 students participating in large group speech this season, with multiple performing in two categories.
“One of the great things about Mount Vernon is that we encourage our students to participate in a ton of extracurricular/co-curricular activities,” said Grant Freeman, head coach of large group speech at Mount Vernon. “This is a blessing and a struggle, because it makes scheduling incredibly difficult. Especially with the size of our team, that can be a hard road to travel, but we make do the best we can.”
Freeman said that the team prides itself on inclusion for everyone.
“Whether you’re on the football team or Jazz choir, whether you excel in science or English, whether you sit on any side of the political spectrum — I love watching all of these kids work together in our melting pot of a team,” Freeman said. “My favorite thing will always be providing an arena where everyone has a turn in the spotlight.”
He is proud of all of the groups equally.
“Whether it’s a ninth grade group doing couples therapy between Batman and Robin or one of our varsity teams filming a parody of the ‘Fast and Furious’ films, all the groups have the stamp of approval and pride from their coaches,” Freeman said.
The coaching team at Mount Vernon this year includes Freeman, Tawnua Tenley head individual speech coach, Trevor Baty assistant group speech coach, and guest coaches Amy White for reader’s theater, Mary Horst for radio news and Milo Olinger for television news. Student coaches include Lillian Bishop, Charlotte Krob, Kayleigh Kirton and Kylie Pyatt.
“We’re looking forward to our students to compete,” Freeman said. To let boisterous kid and the kid afraid of their own shadow succeed in their own ways. On a personal level, I’d love to get every student to State competition. This lets them have a full season.”
Freeman hopes members of the community are able to come out and support students in speech competitions this year.
“Support goes a long way in creating community and success in our speech and theatre programs,” Freeman said.
Mount Vernon will participate in WaMaC meet for large group speech at Center Point High School and individual speech at West Delaware High District large group contest is at Iowa City Liberty Saturday, Jan. 20. State contest will be Saturday, Feb. 3, at Pleasant Valley High School.
“If any of our groups or individual events are nominated for All-State, we hope to have showcases for each of those before the All-State Festival for the respective season,” Tenley said.
For Individual contests, Mount Vernon will participate in the WaMaC individual meet at West Delaware. Mount Vernon will host district individual speech contest Saturday, Feb. 24. State individual contest is at Cedar Rapids Xavier Saturday, March 9.
“I am in need of volunteers to help run the rooms, work in the office, and greet visitors at the doors for the individual contest,” Tenley said. “I welcome all volunteers — we will need a minimum of 30 people who are willing to work at least a two-hour shift and at most, the full day (from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)”
If they are interested in volunteering, contact Tenley at [email protected]. The district will also need help with concessions for the day, and that will be run by the Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association. To volunteer for concessions help, contact Charlene Vig at [email protected].
Freshmen Charlotte Woosley and Chester Rood dealing with their issues in Couple’s Therapy Ensemble Acting