You might say it has been another banner year for the Dubuque Senior High School speech team.
Three of the team’s ensembles (in Group Mime, Musical Theatre, and Radio Broadcasting) claimed the Critic’s Choice Banners, presented by a theater professional to the top performance of the day in each of the 12 categories at the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) Large Group All-State Festival. The festival was held on February 22 at Iowa State University and 69 students represented Senior at the state’s flagship group speech event.
This is the 25th banner Senior has received in IHSSA history and the 13th in the past 11 years. It’s also the third time Senior was awarded three banners from one All-State Festival, achieving the honor in 1984 and 1987. The school will hold the banner for the next school year and return it to the All-State Festival for next year’s competition.
Banner recipients were:
 Dubuque Senior All-State Speech Banner for Group Mime. |
Group Mime: “Bystander”Featuring sophomores Brittany Smith and Jonny Specht; and junior Lauren Winter This original mime touched audiences with the poignant look at bullying and its connection between our choices and actions. The piece was directed by Megan Schumacher. Critic was David Walker from Buena Vista University. |
 Dubuque Senior All-State Speech Banner for Radio Broadcasting. |
Radio Broadcasting: “KMED”Featuring seniors Ellie Burns, Anne Edwards, Michael Friend, Jenna Jensen and Sydney Johnson; and sophomore Michael Harrison. KMED is a comedic take on a radio news segment set in the environment of a hospital. It was directed by Greg Ernzen and Megan Schumacher. Critic was Paul Yeager of Iowa Public Television. |
 Dubuque Senior All-State Speech Banner for Musical Theatre. |
Musical Theatre: “Next to Normal” based upon the rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom KittFeaturing seniors Michaela Williams and Danny Zanger; junior Ethan Vander Broek; and sophomore Allison Williams. This selection is a passionate look at a family dealing with mental illness. The performance was directed by Aaron Dean. Critic was Jackie Schmillen from KCWI-TV in Des Moines |
Following are all of the All-State selections from the Dubuque Community School District:
Senior High School (Performing):
Ensemble Acting: “Romantic Fools,” “Independence,” and “Clybourne Park”
Group Mime: “Bystander”
Musical Theatre: “Next to Normal”
One Act Play: “The Laramie Project”
Radio Broadcasting: KMED and KJOY
Short Film: “Identity” and “An Open Letter”
Television Newscasting: “In Depth Dubuque”
Senior High School (Non-Performing)
Group Mime: “That’s How The Cookie Crumbles”
Readers Theatre: “Exchange Ray Bradbury”
Television Newscasting: KPEN Channel 7
Hempstead High School (Non-Performing)
Musical Theatre: “Cats”