Just one week after the All-State Large Group Speech Festival was held at the Iowa State University campus in Ames, this weekend kicks off the individual speech contest.

Greene County High School Speech Coach Glenna Strong says she is taking 17 students and 29 events to Nevada High School on Saturday, March 1st.  Of those 17 students, Strong points out that eight are new to individual events.

She states that each student can compete in no more than two events.  Last year, GCHS took 19 students and 29 events to the district competition and nine qualified for state.  There are the same levels of competitions for both large group and individual events for speech which are districts, state and all-state.

In order to qualify for state, the student’s performance must receive a I-rating which represents superior work by the judge.

However, it has been a couple of years since a student has qualified for the individual all-state festival that’s held in Cedar Falls on the University of Northern Iowa’s campus.

Strong adds that the state contest is on Saturday March 15th at Glenwood High School.