Area Students Shine at State Speech Competition

High schoolers from Missouri Valley, Logan-Magnolia, Boyer Valley, and Woodbine earn top honors

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Students from several Iowa high schools, including Missouri Valley, Logan-Magnolia, Boyer Valley, and Woodbine, earned high marks at the 2026 Large Group State Speech competition held at West Des Moines Valley High School on February 7th. Many groups and individuals received Division I and Division II ratings for their performances in events like Ensemble Acting, Group Improv, Musical Theatre, Radio Broadcasting, and Short Film.

Why it matters

The annual Large Group State Speech competition is a prestigious event that showcases the talents and hard work of high school students across Iowa. Strong performances at this competition can lead to further recognition, scholarships, and opportunities for the participating students. The success of these local schools highlights the quality of their speech and drama programs and the dedication of both students and coaches.

The details

At the competition, Missouri Valley High School earned three Division I State Ratings in Ensemble Acting, Group Improv, and Musical Theatre. Logan-Magnolia High School also received three Division I State Ratings in Acting and Group Improv. Boyer Valley High School earned a Division I State Rating in Radio Broadcasting, while West Harrison High School received a Division II rating in Musical Theatre and a Division I rating in Group Improv. Woodbine High School had groups compete in events like Group Improv, Short Film, and Ensemble Acting, with several strong performances.

  • The 2026 Large Group State Speech competition was held on February 7, 2026 at West Des Moines Valley High School.

The players

Missouri Valley High School

A high school located in Missouri Valley, Iowa that had several groups and individuals earn top ratings at the state speech competition.

Logan-Magnolia High School

A high school located in Logan, Iowa that received multiple Division I State Ratings at the competition.

Boyer Valley High School

A high school located in Dunlap, Iowa that earned a Division I State Rating in Radio Broadcasting.

West Harrison High School

A high school located in Missouri Valley, Iowa that received a Division II rating in Musical Theatre and a Division I rating in Group Improv.

Woodbine High School

A high school located in Woodbine, Iowa that had groups compete in events like Group Improv, Short Film, and Ensemble Acting.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The strong performances by students from these Iowa high schools at the prestigious Large Group State Speech competition demonstrate the excellence of their speech and drama programs, as well as the dedication and talent of the participating students. This success highlights the value of extracurricular activities in developing well-rounded, skilled young people.