ADM speech students pose for a photo during the Iowa High School Speech Association District Large Group Speech Contest on January 24, 2026. Photo Courtesy of Jacque Seidl

Adel-DeSoto-Minburn and Perry High School students are competing today at the Iowa High School Speech Association State Large Group Contest.

ADM will have 15 entries performing, while Perry will have one. ADM senior Nick Subbert, who will participate in Group Improvisation and Short Film, is eager to take in the full experience at state.

“I just love meeting (everyone). It’s a lot of people who are just super outgoing, a lot of friendly people. They’re putting themselves out there and you can watch a lot of really fun other groups and learn some things. So overall, just a fun experience at speech contest.”

Perry will be sending one entry with the Group Improvisation team of Seth Borgeson, Xavier Hibbert and Cayden Hay. Hibbert is looking forward to getting to see other groups perform at state.

“You get to meet a lot of new people who have a lot of very broad talents. Anything from radio shows to short films. It’s just great to see all that talent in one spot. People who have way different interests than you but you can still get along because you share this common activity.”

Both speech teams are at West Des Moines Valley High School.