Members of the Meskwaki Settlement School Speech Team had a fine showing at District Individual Speech Contest on Saturday, February 23, in Grinnell.

On a day with weather that threatened to keep the Meskwaki speech contestants from going to contest, twelve students arrived at contest. Nine students earned twelve Division I ratings and the right to go on to State Competition on March 9 at North Scott.

Three seniors led the way by earning two Division I ratings each: Marley Whitefish (Literary Program and Reviewing), Danielle Seymour (Storytelling and Prose), and Tracie Kapayou (Prose and Expository Address). Other seniors who earned the same rating were Tylen Garcia (Literary Program), Josephine YoungBear (Original Oratory), and Marybelle Armajo (Original Oratory). Romeo Buffalo (Storytelling), Zandra YoungBear (Poetry), and Emmett Roberts (Literary Program) were younger students who finished contest with Division I ratings.

Students who received Division II ratings were Geanna Bear (Acting), Tiernan Wanatee (Radio News and Public Address), Payton Tahahwah (Prose), Romeo Buffalo (Public Address), Zandra YoungBear (Acting), Marybelle Armajo (Poetry), and Josephine YoungBear (Spontaneous Speaking).

While one judge gives written and oral comments at the District level, three judges will evaluate the performance of each contestant at State Contest. Coaches Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Bousum trust that students will take advantage of the two weeks between districts and state to hone their events to their best performances.