Area High School All-State Speech Nominees Announced

Key Takeaways:

• The IHSSA announced the 2025 All-State Large Group selections for area high schools.
• Norwalk High School received All-State nominations in Radio Broadcasting, Short Film, and Group Improv.
• Pleasantville High School earned honors in the Short Film category for two productions.
• Southeast Warren High School students were recognized in Readers Theatre and Radio Broadcasting.
• The All-State Festival will be held on February 22nd at Iowa State University.

Area High Schools Honored by IHSSA

The Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) has announced the 2025 All-State Large Group selections, with students from Norwalk, Pleasantville, and Southeast Warren High Schools receiving prestigious nominations. All-State nominations represent the highest honor attainable by participants in Iowa high school speech programs, acknowledging outstanding talent and dedication.

Norwalk High School Achievements

Norwalk High School students secured All-State nominations in three categories:

• Radio Broadcasting – DAD News (Performing)
• Short Film – Paranoia (Performing)
• Group Improv – Team GoKart (Non-Performing)

The “DAD News” team and the creators of “Paranoia” will present their performances at the upcoming All-State Festival, showcasing their skills to a statewide audience. “Team GoKart,” while honored with a nomination, is designated as non-performing.

Pleasantville High School Achievements

Pleasantville High School was recognized for excellence in the Short Film category with two productions:

• Short Film – Magician in the Making (Performing)
• Short Film – Cycles (Non-Performing)

“Magician in the Making” will be featured at the festival, highlighting Pleasantville’s talent in filmmaking and storytelling. The team behind “Cycles” also earned acknowledgment through their nomination.

Southeast Warren High School Achievements

Students from Southeast Warren High School earned All-State honors in two performance categories:

• Readers Theatre – Genre (Performing)
• Radio Broadcasting – KORN (Performing)

Both groups will perform at the festival, demonstrating their prowess in ensemble performance and broadcasting. Their recognition underscores the school’s commitment to the arts and communication.

Significance of All-State Nominations

All-State nominations are considered the pinnacle of achievement for participants in IHSSA programs. These honors reflect the students’ hard work, creativity, and excellence in their respective categories. Being selected signifies a level of performance that sets these students apart at the state level.

Upcoming All-State Festival

The 2025 All-State Festival is scheduled for Saturday, February 22nd, at Iowa State University. The event will feature performances from “Performing” designated groups, offering a platform for these talented students to share their work with a broader audience. It serves as a celebration of the dedication and skill present in Iowa’s high school speech and performance programs.

These accomplishments not only bring pride to the individual students but also to their schools and communities. As these young performers prepare for the festival, they exemplify the excellence and passion that the IHSSA aims to promote throughout the state.