Photographs by Shaun Kneip & courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2015

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, January 28, 2016, Pages 1 & 11

Mount Ayr Community advanced nine events to state competition following competition as the district large group speech contest Saturday, January 23.

State competition will be held February 6 at. Waukee.

The freshman squad took four events: radio news broadcast MKIA of Elsie Schafer, Myles Greene, Nathan Hauge, Samantha Schaefer and Lanie Sheil, receiving a I rating; group improvisation team of Chase Henry, Gabrielle Hunke, Sammy McGill and Caroline McAlexander performing "someone's claustrophic", receiving a I rating; the group improvisation team of Elsie Schafer, Hannah Jackson, Myles Greene and Nathan Hauge performing "watching a scary movie", receiving a I rating; and the short film entitled "Eleanor" by Chase Henry, Caroline McAlexander, Gabby Hunke, Hannah Jackson, Lanie Sheil, Sammy McGill and Samantha Schaefer, receiving a II rating. The short film will not be advancing to state but have learned what to fix for next year.

The varsity team (sophomores through seniors) took two group improvisations, two short films, a television broadcast, a reader's theatre and a radio broadcast to district. All their events with the exception of one short film revieved a I rating advancing them to state.

They were group improvisation team of Lincoln Lutrick, Mitchell Jennett and Brad Phelps performing "being pulled over by an officer"; the group improvisatin team of Lew Knapp, Abby Schaefer, Hallie Still, Will Young and Will Hunt performing "first day of cheerleading practice"; the short film "Easy Clean" by Lew Knapp, Wyatt Jackson and Macy Lilienthal; the television broadcast KSBO performed by Blair Glendenning, Ashton Sheil, Hallie Still, Kenisha Ross, Mitchell Jennett, Lincoln Lutrick and Wyatt Jackson; the reader's theatre team of Abby Schafer, Logan Eaton, Maddie Mobley, Mercadez Birkenholz, Will Young and Will Hunt performing "how NOT to act old"; the radio broadcast MKIS team of Ashton Sheil, Blair Glendenning, Mady Henson, Maddie Mobley, Ica Hauge and Megan Reasoner. The short film "War of Witches" by Kody Weeda and Alex Young received a II rating and will not be advancing to state competition. The judges felt the story line needed to be developed further.

Students competing at districts include (front row, L-R) Hallie Still, Samantha Schaefer, Sammy McGill, Maddie Mobley, Lanie Sheil and Mercadez Birkenholtz;
(second row) Mitchell Jennett, Brad Phelps, Ica Hauge, Ashton Sheil, Gabrielle Hunke, Macy Lilenthal and Logan Eaton;
(third row) Nathan Hauge, Will Young, Megan Reasoner, Blair Glendenning and Madyson Henson;
(back row) Lincoln Lutrick, Myles Green, Lew Knapp, Chase Henry, Elsie Schafer, Wyatt Jackson, Hannah Jackson, Will Hunt and Abbey Schafer.

Not pictured: Caroline McAlexander and Kenisha Ross.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, February 11, 2016, Pages 1 & 4

The Mount Ayr Community High School speech team brought home three I ratings from the state speech contest. Over 600 entries from the Southwest District competed in Waukee Saturday, February 6.

The short film, "Easy Clean" by Lew Knapp Wyatt Jackson and Macy Lilienthal received straight I ratings from the judges.

The inprov group of Lew Knapp, Hallie Still, Abbey Schafer, Will Young and Will Hurst drew the situation "Everyone has a better idea." They received two I ratings and a II rating from the judges for an overall I rating.

The Radio Broadcast, MKIS, of Ashton Sheil, Blair Glendenning, Mady Henson, Maddie Mobley, Ica Hauge and Megan Reasoner received two I ratings and a II rating from the judges for an overall I rating.

Other Mount Ayr entries received II ratings.

The freshman inprov team of Chase Henry, Samantha McGill, Caroline McAlexander and Gabrielle Hunke drew the situation, "Forgetting your line as the curtain goes up." They received two II ratings and a I rating from the three judges for an overall II rating.

The TV broadcast, KSBO, of Wyatt Jackson, Kenisha Ross, Blair Glendenning, Ashton Sheil, Hallie Still, Mitchell Jennett and Lincoln Lutrick received a I rating from one judge and two 11 ratings from the other judges for an overall II rating.

The freshman radio broadcast MKIA of Samantha Schaefer, Lanie Sheil, Elsie Schafer, Nathan Hauge and Myles Greene received two II ratings and a I rating for an overall II rating.

The group improv team of Lincoln Lutrick, Mitchell Jennett and Bradly Phelps drew the situation "Auditioning for a rock bank." They received two II ratings and a I rating for an overall II rating.

The Reader's Theatre team of Maddie Mobley, Abbey Schafer, Logan Eaton, Mercadez Birkenholz, Will Hunt and Will Young performed the piece "How NOT to Act Old" from the book of the same title by Pamela Satran. They received II ratings from all three judges for an overall II rating.

[Page 4] The freshman improv team of Hannah Jackson, Elsie Schafer, Nathan Hauge and Myles Greene drew the situation "Trying to explain the difference between a baseball cap and a gas cap." The judges gave them a rating of I, II, and III for an overall II rating.

"The students did a great job and represented our school very well," said speech coach Shaun Kniep. "Althought we would have liked to come home with more I ratings, the competition was very stiff this year and I really fell we performed well. I was very proud of the kids. Next up for us is individual speech. Conference individual speech will be held in Fontanelle on February 18 and then district competition is February 27 in Bedford."

LARGE GROUP SPEECH CONTEST - Front Row, L-R: Mitchell Jennett, Will Young, Nathan Hauge, Macy Lilienthal, Alex Young, Lanie Sheil, Caroline McAlexander, Hannah Jackson and Mercadez Birkenholz.

Second Row, L-R: Blair Glendenning, Abbey Schafer, Kenisha Ross, Gabby Hunke, Elsie Schafer, Ashton Sheil, Hallie Still and Samantha Schafer.

Third Row, L-R: Myles Greene, Wyatt Jackson, Chase Henry, Lincoln Lutrick, Will Hunt, Ica Hauge, Mady Henson, Kody Weeda, Brad Phelps and Logan Eaton. Not pictured, Lew Knapp.

INDIVIDUAL SPEECH - Front Row, L-R: Mitchell Jennett, Will Young, Adelyda Ebersole, Alex Young, Lanie Sheil, Caroline McAlexander, Hannah Jackson.

Second Row, L-R: Haylea England, Blair Glendenning, Abbey Schafer, Kenisha Ross, Elsie Schafer, Ashton Sheil and Samantha Schaefer.

Third Row, L-R: Chase Henry, Will Hunt, Ica Hauge, Brianna Dory, Zane Powell, Brad Phelps and Hallie Still. Not pictured, Lew Knapp.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2016; updated August of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 03, 2016, Page 1

Due to the Raiderettes qualifying for the state basketball tournament, the Mount Ayr Community High School spring play, "Headin' for the Hills," has been postponed to Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11.

Students who made it to state individual speech contest - Front Row (L-R): Halea England, Adelyda Ebersole, Caroline McAlexander and Hannah Jackson. Second Row (L-R): Chase Henry, Abbey Schafer, Elsie Schafer, Brad Phelps and Hallie Still. Not pictured: Lew Knapp.

The Mount Ayr Speech Team brought home 10 I (excellent) ratings from the district speech contest Saturday, February 27 at Bedford.

Students receiving I ratings automatically qualify for the state speech contest March 12 in Des Moines.

They include Adelyda Ebersole in expository address, Caroline McAlexander in storytelling, Lew Knapp in acting, Chase Henry in improvisation, Elsie Schafer in prose (short story), Haylea England in Literary Program, Hannah Jackson in improvisation, Abbey Schafer in acting, Brad Phelps in improvisation and Hallie Still in radio broadcasting.

Those receiving II ratings include Kenisha Ross, Blair Glendenning, Alex Young, Brianna Dory, Will Young, Ica Hauge, Will Hunt, Samantha McGill, Samantha Schaefer, Mitchell Jennett, Ashton Sheil and Lanie Sheil.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 10, 2016, Pages 1 & 12

Large cast for school play
Performances Friday and Saturday

The Mount Ayr Community spring play, "Headin' for the Hills" by Tim Kelly, will be performed in the elementary gym on March 11 and 12. The comedy is performed with permission from Pioneer Drama Service.

The spring production is being moved to the elementry building due to construction for the high school auditorium renovation project.

The cast includes the following:

Laurette Greenacre	- runs general store	- Abbey Schafer
Edna Tubbs	- runs boarding house	- Megan Reasoner
Rose Marie Murdock	- New York writer	- Tessa Shields
Dagmar	- Edna's teenaged      daughter	- Mercadez Birkenholz
Obie	- Lurette's teenaged      son	- Mitchell Jennett
Lee Roy Calhoun	- in love with      Emmy Lou	- Trevor Anderson
Emmy Lou Tolliver	- in love with Roy Lee	- Hallie Still
Paw Calhoun	- hates the Tollivers	- Lincoln Lutrick
Bubba	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Rhett Murphy
Goober	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Kyle Dolecheck
Cletus	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Jeb McCreary
Delmont	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Logan Stark
Elrod	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Nick Wurster
Floyd	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Trevor Gooding
Roscoe	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Cauy Bickel
Wilbur	- Lee Roy's older      brother	- Bradley Phelps
Maw Tolliver	- hates the Calhouns	- Ica Hauge
Petunia	- Emmy Lou's sister	- Addy Flammang
Duley	- Emmy Lou's sister	- Samantha Schaefer
Annabelle	- Emmy Lou's sister	- Lanie Sheil
Buffy	- Emmy Lou's sister	- Brylea Stark
Leanne	- Emmy Lou's sister	- Shaley Miller
Roxy	- Emmy Lou's sister	- Taylor Wilson
Dwight Culver	- owns Panda      Publishing	- Wyatt Jackson
Miss Pickens	- his secretary	- Trina Restauro
Miss Foran	- another employee	- Hannah Jackson
Mr. Hastings	- another employee	- Chase Henry
Joe Martin	- senor junior editor	- Lew Knapp
Lucille Stevens	- owns Bandar      Log Books	- Kirsten Dolecheck
Sally Merriweather	- her top assistant	- Macy Lilienthal
Miss Weehler	- secretary	- Macy Larsen
Miss Lipcott	- another employee	- Laura Davison
Mr. Meisner	- another employee	- Trenton Stull
Train Conductor	- enjoys punching      tickets	- Justin Wehling
Bianca	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Katie Sickels
Esther	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Maddy Henson
Chloe	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Bailey Anderson
Grace	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Kenisha Ross
Ruby Perkins	- likes to tell jokes	- Breanne Haley
Enos	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Drew Willis
Otis	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Zane Powell
Woody	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Nathan Hauge
Jefferson	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Myles Greene
Junior	- lonesome polecat      teen	- Tycker Darrah
Mr. Dogwezel	- mailman	- Bradley Wurster
Sheriff Dickens	- on the job	- John Young
Charlie Rhodes	- ready to settle down	- Will Young
Sherri Gordon	- film executive	- Ashton Sheil
Iris Hutton	- publicity is      everything	- Elsie Schafer
Antiquity Wormwood	- cures what ails you	- Will Hunt
Citizens of Lonesome Polecat	-	Kirsten Young, Jacob McCreary,    Lucas Wurster, Dylan McAlexander,    MaiLynn Taylor,Jasmon Hyde    Ryann Martin, MacKenzie Shields    Jentri Ruby, Caroline McAlexander,    Abbi Haley, Sammy McGill,    Gabrielle Hunke, Jessica McCreary,    John Shields, and Josh Cox

The production crew includes:

Mrs. Kneip's assistants	-	Blair Glendenning    and Alyssa Johnson
Stage Managers	-	Maddy Mobley    and Sara Winemiller
General Manager backstage	-	Jed McCreary
Set crew	-	Brayden Swank, Zach Murphy,    Alex Riddell-Hughes, Tristan Holmes    Jake Hoveland, Trevor Henry    and Caleb Schnoor
Makeup	-	Ashton Quick, Cheyenne Gillespie,    Miranda Waugh and Cheyenne Haveman
Costumes	-	Emma Mobley, Amber Davison,    Paige Lynch and Dani Krauth
Sound effects	-	Logan Eaton, Chania Vos    and Mason Smith

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page 10

Drama Club Members

Members of the Mount Ayr Community High School Drama Club include:

Seniors: Kirsten Dolecheck, Kyle Dolecheck, Ica Hauge, Wyatt Jackson, Lew Knapp, Lincoln Lutrick, Jed McCreary, Shaley Miller, Madison Mobley, Rhett Murphy, Miranda Waugh, Taylor Wilson, Macy Lilienthal, Logan Stark, Caleb Schnoor, Trina Restauro, Trevor Gooding, Nick Wurster, Ashton Quick, Cheyenne Gillespie and Justin Wehling.

Juniors: Mitchell Jennett, Ashton Sheil, Tessa Shields, Blair Glendenning, Breanne Haley, Megan Reasoner, Cassie Brand, Cheyenne Haveman, Laura Campbell, Brylea Stark and Macy Larsen.

Sophomores: Alyssa Johnson, John Young, William Young, Mercadez Birkenholz, Abbey Schafer, Bailey Anderson, Hallie Still and Chania Vos, Mady Henson, MaiLynn Taylor, Katie Sickels, Kirsten Young, Bradley Wurster, Craven Martin, Kenisha Ross, Will Hunt, Logan Eaton, Cauy Bickel, Eian Adams, Dylan McAlexander, Lucas Wurster, Tristan Holmes, Brayden Swank, Zach Murphy, Jacob McCreary, Sara Winemiller, Brad Phelps and Dani Krauth.

Freshmen: Nathan Hauge, Chase Henry, Zane Powell, Elsie Schafer, Trenton Stull, Myles Greene, Drew Willis, Josh Cox, Samantha Schaefer, Lanie Sheil, Hannah Jackson, Tucker Darrah, Jentri Ruby, Abbi Haley, MaKenzie Shields, Ryann Martin, Ashton Smith, Jasmin Hyde, Caroline McAlexander, Emma Mobley, Amber Davison, Kylee Smith, Paige Lynch and Andrew Belzer.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 17, 2016, Page 8

Mount Ayr students fare well at state speech

The Mount Ayr Speech team traveled early to Des Moines North High School Saturday, March 12 for the state contest.

Mount Ayr took two teams - one a freshman team and one a varisty team.

Adelyda Ebersole performed her expository address about the benefits of extracurricular activities. It was a speech that Ebersole wrote herself. While performing the speech Ebersole wears her FFA jacket. She inadvertenly did not take it off upon her exit from the room and the judges saw that it said Mount Ayr on it. They had no choice but to disquality her because a student's school is to remain anonymous that way the judges can stay impartial.

Brad Phelps received a II rating from all three judges in his improvisation. Phelps drew the two characters, a tramp and a golfer with the situation [that] someone is having a bad day. This was Phelps' first year participating in speech contest.

Haylea England also had received II ratings from all three judges for her Literary Program entitled "Not Just Another Suicide Tragedy." The piece combines poetry and short story to convey a central theme.

Hallie Still performed her radio broadcast piece and also received a disqualification score. This was due to a mistake on the part of the coad Shawn Kniep and that of the district judge when reading the rules. The rules state that a student may only use and accent during the commercial, but not during reading the news. Still read the radio broadcast in an accent and did not use one for the commercial. The judge at districts did not catch it and sent Still on to state, where the state judges did know the rules. Kniep said she takes the blame for this because she did not catch it earlier.

Lew Knapp performed his acting pieces and received a I from one judge and two II ratings from the other judges for an overall II rating. This was Lew's final speech contest. He has performed in large group and individual speech all four years and has made it to state each year.

Abbey Schafer performed her acting piece entitled, "The Text on the Drive Home" and received at II rating from one judge and I ratings from the other two judges for an overall I rating.

The freshman team had four qualify for state.

Chase Henry performed an improvisation piece. He drew two characters, a business executive and a hog farmer with the situation telling a sad story.. Henry received a I from one judge and II ratings from the other two judges for an overall II rating.

Caroline McAlexander performed her storytelling piece, Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf. McAlexander received a I from one judge, and II ratings from the other two judges for an overall II rating.

Elsie Schafer performed her prose (short story) selection entitled, "The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas" by Allie Brosh. Schafer received a II rating from one judge and a I rating from two judges for an overall II rating.

And last to perform for the day was Hannah Jackson. Jackson performed in improvisation. She drew the characters an upset husband and a camper, with the situation going to a rock concert when it's actually a polka music concert. Jackson received a II rating from one judge and a I rating from two judges for an overall I rating.

Kniep said overall it was a very good day for the speech team and each handled the day well and represented the school well.

"Each year is a learning experience and this year was definitely one," said Kniep.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 10, 2016, Page 10

All-State Speech Students

Front Row, L-R: Hallie Still and Abbey Schafer.

Second Row, L-R: Will Young, Will Hunt and Lew Knapp.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016