About the Program
Speech involves a presentation by one, two, or sometimes a group of students that is judged against a similar type of presentation by others in a round of competition. Speech events range from limited preparation events that require extensive knowledge of current events to dramatic and humorous interpretation, which challenge students to find powerful moments in literature and recreate them for an audience.
Our Philosophy
EHS Speech is ALL about being a PART of SOMETHING and the PROCESS.
Everyone is welcome, everyone is important, and everyone is respected.
- Everyone will be accepting, everyone will be humble and everyone will be nice.
- No one is more important than anyone else and no ‘group’ is better than the rest.
- It is NOT about ‘winning’, it is NOT about “All-State” and it is NOT about “The Banner”.
- It is about working together to create a meaningful performance.
- It is about starting with an idea or words on paper and making it real, bringing it to life.
- It is about personal growth and being better than when you started.
It is about having fun and being a TEAM!
Students in Action
IHSSA Directive (Iowa High School Speech Association)
The Iowa Interscholastic Speech Association was organized in November, 1943. It was an outgrowth of a desire on the part of many people to enlarge and expand the very splendid work in the Iowa High School Declamatory Association had done since 1887. This organization is so designed that, as time goes on and the need is felt for other types of speech activities, they may be added. While visible work of the Association is carried on through a series of contests, the fundamental philosophy of the Association has a much deeper basis. The philosophy is built upon the belief that no form of activity is any more important than that of learning to speak effectively. All true Americans believe in educational enlightenment, but the effectiveness of each enlightenment may be lost through the inability of our people to express to others their ideas and beliefs. The perpetuation of the American way of life rests to no small extent in the hands of the American school. If it can teach its students to express and defend that democracy, we need have no fear for the future of our country. IHSSA
Success in School & Success in Speech
Speech is an educational, life-shaping activity, but it is secondary to one’s curricular education provided during the school day. Speech members are expected to maintain academic eligibility. Remember, not only do you lose out on the opportunity to perform – but so do your teammates!
Large Group Speech Categories
View 2019-2020 Large Group Achievements
- Choral Reading – a group of 2 to 15 students perform a collection of works with an emphasis on ensemble reading (may include singing). Facial expression and vocal blend are important. Length: up to 15 minutes
- Ensemble Acting – two to six students act out a scene from a play or book. A table and chairs are the only props allowed, and no costumes or makeup is permitted. Length: up to 15 minutes
- Group Improvisation – two to five students are given a situation and improvise a scene with limited preparation time. Creativity, working together, and character development are essential. Length: 3-5 minutes
- Group Mime – A group of 2 to 6 students act out a situation or story with their bodies, no talking is allowed. Music is allowed, but mime makeup is not permitted. Length: 7 minutes
- Musical Theatre – two to six students perform song(s) and scene(s) from a musical. A table and chairs are the only props allowed, and no costumes or makeup is permitted. Length: up to 10 minutes
- One Act Play – a group of two or more students perform one act of a play on the stage. Costumes, makeup, props and sets are permitted. Length: up to 35 minutes
- Radio Broadcasting – a group of up to 8 students gather, edit, and organize a radio broadcast which includes news, sports, and weather. The performance is pre-recorded. Length: between 5-6 minutes
- Readers Theatre – a group of between 2 and 15 interpret a dramatic work or piece of literature with an emphasis on body and vocal expression. Length: up to 25 minutes w/scripts
- Short Film – A group of between 2 and 15 students create an original film of no more than five minutes. Length: up to 5 minutes
- Television News – a group of 8-12 students gather, edit, and organize a news broadcast which includes news, sports, and weather. The performance is pre-recorded and requires on and off camera positions. Length: between 12-15 minutes with scripts
Individual Speech Categories:
View 2019-2020 Individual Achievements
- Prose: read a story/not memorized
- Poetry: read poetry, usually revolves around a theme/not memorized
- Literary Program: poetry and prose/theme based/ not memorized
- Storytelling: telling a story sitting on a stool/ memorized
- Acting: memorize a monologue/can be comedic or dramatic/memorized
- Solo Musical Theatre: act out a song/only one song/memorized
- Expository Address: informative speech using visual aids/memorized/can have 1 notecard/memorized with a notecard
- Improvisation: create a story using 2 characters and one situation
- Radio Broadcasting: put together a radio show/not memorized/stories are given to students. They have 30 minutes of prep time and not memorized
- Reviewing: can review a video game, a movie, book, performance, basically anything./Not memorized.
- Spontaneous Speaking: student will draw three topics, they have 5 minutes to prepare and then they give a speech over the topic.
- Original Oratory: a persuasive speech created by the speaker/not memorized
- After Dinner Speaking: usually funny, memorized speech given after a dinner/memorized with notes
- Public Address: speaker gives another person’s speech such as a presidential speech. The student should not impersonate the original person. Memorized
Meet the Advisors
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- Nathan Irwin
- Speech Coach
- irwinn@live.siouxcityschools.com
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- Kindall Todd
- Speech Coach
- toddk@live.siouxcityschools.org
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- Marissa Kuiken
- Musical Theater Coach
- kuikenm@live.siouxcityschools.com
