Students from Missouri Valley, Logan-Magnolia and Woodbine competed in an Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) competition at Ankeny Centennial High School on Saturday, with all students completing their performances before the school was evacuated due to a bomb threat.
According to reporting from the Des Moines Register, Sgt. Corey Schneden of the Ankeny Police Department said the threat was made on social media.
“Police later determined it was a non-credible threat, based on interviews with people involved, according to the district news release,” the Register article states.
All area students are safe, and due to the postponement of the event, they now wait to learn if they will make it to All-State.
A Facebook post by the Mo Show Missouri Valley Show Choir Facebook page said, “I'm so thankful that all of our MV students and families were together at the time of evacuation (there were literally thousands in attendance) and that everyone at the contest is safe.”
Woodbine's Michelle Drenth said that Tigers students were out of Ankeny before the threat took place, and Logan-Magnolia's Kendra Beckner also shared that Panthers students in attendance were safe.
“Thank you to the IHSSA speech participants and spectators for their prompt response to law enforcement's instructions to evacuate Ankeny Centennial High School during the Iowa High School State Large Group Speech Contest,” a statement from Stacy S. Hansen, IHSSA Executive Director, said. “We also want to thank the quick response from partners at the Ankeny Police Department, Johnston Police Department, and the Iowa State Fire Marshal to ensure the safety of the building.”
Results for area students, provided by their schools, are below.
Missouri Valley
Theron Felner – Solo Mime: Division I (superior)
Carter Coyle, Adam Meadows, Theron Felner – Musical Theatre : Division I (superior)
Katy Kelly, Lynnai Shada, Audrey Windschitl – Ensemble Acting: Division II (excellent)
Sarah Leusink, Audrey Windschitl, Lynnai Shada – Improv: Division II (excellent)
Jacob Hoden, Hannah Gutzmer, Sarah Leusink – Ensemble Acting: Rating unknown as of the morning of Monday, Feb. 5.
Logan-Magnolia
Penelope Alvis and Titus Perelman – Musical Theatre: Three Division I ratings
Wyatt Grimes and CC Alvis – Musical Theatre: Three Division II ratings
Woodbine
Meredith Sherer, Marcus Hesman, Aaron Colwell – Group Improvisation: Three Division II ratings
Meredith Sherer and Marcus Hesman – Musical Theater: Three Division II ratings
Amanda Newton and Owen Fitchhorn – Musical Theater: Three Division I ratings
Leah Claar with voices by Gavin Kelley, Brenner Sullivan, Aaron Colwell, Sarah Andregg, Eva Davis, Rowan Kruse and Leah Claar – Short Film: Three Division I ratings
