SWIFT
S PEECH W ORKERS
OF I OWA
F EATURE T HEMSELVES
Well, we got through Large Group and IEs! Most people in November would have given us less than 50% odds of having a contest of any style this pandemic year. In fact, there were many states that cancelled their events this year. District contest started on Feburary 22nd and ran through the 3rd of March. In that time period we saw our COVID positive rates drop in Iowa, and more schools came together in person. More schools ran their own in-person con* Contest site information test rather than doing virtual. We still had many that chose either option. * Spring Meeting Info I received my 2nd vaccine shot on Friday, * 2021-2022 Calendar * NFHS Award Recipients March 26th, and to celebrate I went to IE District contests on the traditional date of Feburary * Award Info 27th. I took off bright and early heading to And so much more! Grinnell. There were two schools at this site with 2 rooms running in-person and virtual preBe sure to attend the District sentations in both of them. When I arrived at the site I was greeted at the door by Ex. Committee meetings in April and May. President Kevin Seney, principal of Grinnell See the dates inside! schools. He was door keeper, ballot tabulator, and donation box guard. Now that is a President and principal who knows how to help out! Also that day at the Grinnell site was HOF member Gary Zmolek judging via zoom. In fact, in a down moment I was able to give him ‘my presentation’ and received a II rating for not being prepared! It was wonderful to have Gary there judging in this new way during the pandemic. Kevin Hosbond was the contest manager and did a terrific job of hosting this special day for his students and the other school present. I also ran into a former student of mine who is working at Grinnell College and was an All-state performer. Her child was performing that day. What a treat to see IHSSA passing down the line! My State contest travel was to NE Iowa on the traditional State IE day, and my first stop was at Dubuque Senior. In the parking lot I met HOF Coach Mike Peitz. What fun to catch up with him! He spoke about how he was able to judge so many contests this year with the format we used, and how the virtual format was great not only for the students but for him as a judge, too. Please see the pictures of this site, and especially notice the judge’s room. Judges Room at state contest in Dubuque, spaced and masked up, ready for a great day of speech in Iowa!
WHAT IS IN THIS ISSUE OF SWIFT
A PRIL 20, 2021
The contest, hosted by Aaron Dean, Greg Ernzen, and Megan Schumacher was wonderful! There were 4 schools there, everyone socially distanced, and they even had a concession stand. Each room was set up acccording to safety guidelines. Plus, every 45 minutes the rooms were sanitized. Then it was off to the contest at Maquoketa Valley, hosted by Team DeVore. This is the couple who was named national award recipients last year for their outstanding work with speech students. I was greeted at the door by Matt and Debbie, both working hard to make this a special day for the students. What a treat to see HOF coach Dan Putz judging at this event. He judged at another local State site just the night before. Again, a great, safe environment for students, judges, and even parents. Plus, a concession stand, too! I was then on my way to Waverly-Shell Rock and the contest hosted by Lisa Phyfe. This was Lisa’s 4th contest she had hosted this year, each one growing in size as the conditions improved. HOF coach Marilyn Shaw was there judging and gave truly wonderful comments to the students. So, the travel for another year has been completed and what a year it was for all of us. But you have hung in there and made it happen for the students! I have seen the best that Iowa has to offer from students who present performances that move me to tears and make me laugh so much you can hear me in another county. Kudos to the coaches who celebrate the success with their students and are the first ones to give them a hug when the performance did not turn out like they wanted. I am a very fortunate person to witness this each year and I want to say... I AM SO VERY PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!!! CONGRATULATIONS! IT IS AN HONOR TO WORK, CREATE, AND PERFORM TOGETHER! YOU MADE IT!!!