Achievements and Honors

Awards are listed below for Large Group and Individual All-State, Thespian Festival, the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards, Best Thespian Awards, Poetry Out Loud, and Director Awards.

Large Group and Individual Events - All-State Recognition

2025 All-State Large Group

• Readers Theatre - Lucas Blake, Ky Drabek, Bensen Foster, Olivia Jorgenson, Kai Lyons, Adilynn Montgomery (Nora Ausman at Districts), Kaeru Peffers, Andrew Rhinehart, Becca Sharkey, Tabetha Tangen

• Musical Theatre - Alex DeMuth, Bensen Foster, Joeley Helle, Samantha Mora Demestri, Andrew Rhinehart, Milo VanHaaften, Gavin Williams, Aurelia Zylstra

• Group Improv: Eric Buckingham, Ethan Flanders, Clayten Richards, Isaac Vandenberg, Gavin Williams

• *Group Improv: Presley Butler, Kenzie Kohlhaas, Lily Podmolik, Sibley Rhoten

• *Group Improv: Alex Demuth, Samantha Mora Demestri, Sienna Rhoten, JJ Spratt

• *Group Mime: Jack Brown, Porter Haug, Evan Johnston

• *Television News: Loic O'Neil, Eric Buckingham, Isaac Vandenberg, Jamison Castle, Noah Vandekeift

2025 All-State Individual Events

• *Alex Demuth: After Dinner Speaking

• *Dom Davis: Spontaneous Speaking

• *Ky Drabek: Radio News Announcing

• Ky Drabek: Reviewing

• *Olive Picray: Literary Program 9th

2024 All-State Large Group

• *Ensemble Acting: Luci Hopkins, Kolton Messer 

• Ensemble Acting: McKenna Evans, Abigail Hietbrink, Hannah Hildebrand, Hunter Johnson, Faith Vandenberg 

• Musical Theatre: Hannah Hildebrand, Olivia Hood, Luci Hopkins, Hunter Johnson, Alexa Klein, Kolton Messer, Samuel Miller, Bodie Peters 

• Readers Theatre: Ky Drabek, Leticia dos Santos, Naomi Dunsbergen, Bensen Foster, Rinnah Hardeman, Abigail Hietbrink, Joeley Helle, Kai Lyons, Morgan McAninch, Samantha Mora, Kaeru Peffers, Rebecca Sharkey, Anna Wick, Gavin Williams, Aurelia Zylstra 

• Group Improvisation: Alex Demuth, Stephen Gaul, Ryan Sales, Wyatt Van Dyke 

2024 All-State Individual Events

• Alex Demuth: After Dinner Speaking

• *Alex Demuth: Spontaneous Speaking

• *Olivia Hood: Solo Musical Theatre

• *Luci Hopkins: After Dinner Speaking

• Luci Hopkins: Solo Musical Theatre

• *Kolton Messer: Acting

• *Sibley Rhoten: Prose 9th

• *Ryan Sales: Solo Improv

• Ryan Sales: Prose

• *Tiffani Thatcher: Original Oratory

• *Aurelia Zylstra: Storytelling

2023 All-State Large Group

• Ensemble Acting: Grant Anderson, Ryder Bates, Hannah Hildebrand, Camden Holland, and Skye Rhoten

• Ensemble Acting: Aleigha Ausman, Abbey Beal, Sam Miller, and Josephine McDonald

2023 All-State Individual Events

• *Aleigha Ausman: Acting

• *Abbey Beal: Prose

• *Sami Clark: Storytelling

• *Alex DeMuth: After Dinner Speaking

• *Braelyn Ensor: Solo Musical Theatre

• *Luci Hopkins: Acting

• *Ryan Sales: Prose

• *Aurelia Zylstra: Storytelling

2022 All-State Large Group

• *Group Improvisation: Emily Carlo, Maggie Leach, Josephine McDonald, Bethany Schreur

• *Radio Broadcasting: Gavin Beckey, Lance Erickson, Zadok Gustavson, Zane McSheehy

• Readers Theatre: Sam Beukelman, Jacob Byers, John De Bruin, Alloree Else, Addi Hartwick, Willa Kelpe, Lily Lovell, Kolton Messer, Taryn Peffers, Skye Rhoten, Ryan Sales, Wyatt Van Dyke

2022 All-State Individual Events

• *Grant Anderson: Solo Musical Theatre

• *Aleigha Ausman: Acting

• *Luci Hopkins: Storytelling

• *Maggie Leach: Prose

• *Maggie Leach: After Dinner

• *Zane McSheehy: Radio News Announcing

• *Ryan Sales: Prose

2021 All-State Large Group

• Readers Theatre: Sam Beukelman, Jacob Byers, John De Bruin, Cameron Johnson, Willa Kelpe, Lily Lovell, Taryn Peffers, Skye Rhoten, Ibby Schlerman, Ella Van Zee

2021 All-State Individual Events

• Connor Gauley: After Dinner Speaking

• Will Rasmussen: Spontaneous Speaking

• Addison Hartwick: Original Oratory

• Ryan Sales: Prose (9th)

• Maggie Leach: After Dinner Speaking

• Maggie Leach: Prose

2020 All-State Large Group

• Musical Theatre: Abbi Adrian, Emily Rozendaal, Hanna Kendall, Hannah Tschetter, Tierney Copeland

• Musical Theatre: Colby VanGorp, Connor Gauley, Grayson Parisee, Maggie Leach, Mason Diaz Bandera, Meridith Rowe, Travis Mitchell, Will Rasmussen

• Group Improvisation: Will Rasmussen, Titus Hopkins, Connor Folkers, John DeBruin, Travis Mitchell

• Readers Theatre: Ashley Uitermarkt, Cameron Johnson, Emily Rozendaal, Grace Emmert, Hanna Kendall, Ibby Schlerman, Joe Beukelman, John DeBruin, Liam Peffers, Sam Beukelman, Willa Kelpe, Wyatt Kelpe

2020 All-State Individual Events

• Hanna Kendall: Prose

• Maggie Leach: After Dinner Speaking

• Sarah Linde: Original Oratory

• Josephine McDonald: Poetry (9th)

• Liam Peffers: Lit Program

• Meridith Rowe: Musical Theatre

• Elaine Schippers: Poetry

• Ella VanZee: Storytelling

2019 All-State Large Group

• Musical Theatre: Ezra Blasi, Frances DeArmond, Connor Gauley, Hanna Kendall, Travis Mitchell, William Rasmussen, Lydia Taylor, Hannah Tschetter

• Television News: Levi Dugger, Gavin Klein,  Troy Miller, Jacob Schemm, Matthew Thompson, Gavin Tierney

2019 All-State Individual Events

• *Connor Gauley:  After Dinner Speaking

• *Maggie Leach:  Prose (9th)

• *Meridith Rowe:  Musical Theatre (9th)

2018 All-State Large Group

• Ensemble Acting: Brenna Hildebrand, Grace Larson, Julie Start, Ethan Vance, Brady VanWaardhuizen

• Musical Theatre: Mason Diaz Bandera, Grayson Parisee, Colby VanGorp

• *Musical Theatre: Caroline Henry, Natalie Henry, Bailee Meyer, Maggie Renaud, Andie Sunderman, Lydia Taylor, Juliana VanGorp

• Readers Theatre: Annaleigh Babcock, Chris Call, Zoe Card, Grace Cottington, Cameron Johnson, Hanna Kendall, Liam Peffers, Emily Rozendaal, Elaine Schippers

• *Television News: Austin Adrian, Levi Dugger, Caroline Henry, Gavin Klein, Kaleb Lyons, Troy Miller, Jacob Schemm, Matthew Thompson, Gavin Tierney, Nick Vroom

2018 All-State Individual Events

• Hanna Kendall: Prose

• Ethan Vance: Improvisation

• Ethan Vance: Literary Program

• Isaac Zeimetz: Acting

2017 All-State Large Group

• Musical Theatre: Hannah Emmert, Jarod Martens, Tate Petty, Michael Schildroth, Sam Sharp, Lydia Taylor, Juliana Van Gorp

• Television News: Levi Dugger, Gavin Klein, Troy Miller, Tate Petty, Luke Schemm,  Jacob Schemm, Sam Sharp

• *Group Improvisation: Grace Larson, Julie Start, Ethan Vance, Isaac Zeimetz

• Readers Theatre (9th): Zoe Card, Chris Call, Grace Cottington, Cameron Johnson, Hanna Kendall, Olivia Marstall, Liam Peffers, Emily Rozendaal, Elaine Schippers, Colton VanZanten

2017 All-State Individual Events

• *Lauren Ashworth: Storytelling

• *Hannah Cutler: Literary Program

2016 All-State Large Group

• Musical Theatre – Jake Grundey, Caroline Henry, Natalie Henry, Bailee Meyer, Michael Schildroth, Lexi VanHaaften

• *Group Mime – Jey Ches, Shounam Ches, Yongyee Yang

2016 All-State Individual Events

• *Micah Criscuolo: Improv

• *Mandolin Holmes: Literary Program

• *Isaac Zeimetz: Improv

2015 All-State Large Group

• Musical Theatre: Cameron Blom, Shanae DeHaan-Burch, Micah Hammann, Matthew Sutija, Julie VanEe, Jon VanWyk

• *Readers Theatre: Kody Beller, Colin Jones, Devin McCain, Eleanor Witt

2015 All-State Individual Events

• *Colin Jones: Prose

• *Davis VandeSteeg: Poetry

2014 All-State Large Group

• Group Improvisation: Nathan Clayberg, Greg Frommelt, Jack Parisee, Aaron VanMaanen

• Musical Theatre: Claire Anderson, Nathan Clayberg, Greg Frommelt, Tom Palmer, Aaron VanMaanen

• *Readers Theatre: Kody Beller, Colin Jones, Devin McCain, Eleanor Witt

2014 All-State Individual Events

• *Sydney Swanson: Literary Program

• *Aaron VanMaanen: Expository Address

2013 All-State Large Group:

• *Group Improvisation: Evan Jones, Mitch Shepperd, Bailey Tripp, Micah Zeimetz

• Group Improvisation (9th): Micah Criscuolo, Alex Finn, Joe Gaiser, Craig Miller, Elyse Parisee

• Musical Theatre: Nathan Clayberg, Matthew Klein, Jack Parisee, Sam Palmer, Mitch Shepperd, Aaron VanMaanen

• Readers Theatre: Kody Beller, Devin McCain, Colin Jones, Eleanor Witt

2013 All-State Individual Events

• Mitch Shepperd: Radio News

• *Mitch Shepperd: Review

• *Benjamin Tiskevics: Storytelling

• *Bailey Tripp: Storytelling

• *Micah Zeimetz: Improvisation

2012 All-State Large Group

• Group Improvisation: Kelly Anderson, Marielle Gaiser, Sydney Swanson

• Group Improvisation: Evan Jones, Mitch Shepperd, Bailey Tripp, Micah Zeimetz

• Readers Theatre (9th): Kody Beller, Devin McCain, Colin Jones, Eleanor Witt

2012 All-State Individual Events

• Kelly Anderson: Poetry

• *Marielle Gaiser: Literary Program

• Alex Ropes: Spontaneous Speaking

• *Jessica Salpor: Spontaneous Speaking

• *Micah Zeimetz: After Dinner Speaking

2011 All-State Large Group

• *Group Improvisation (9th): Nathan Clayberg, Greg Frommelt, Jack Parisee, Aaron VanMaanen

2011 All-State Individual Events

• *Jake Anderson: Review

• Jake Anderson: Spontaneous Speaking

• *Kelly Anderson: Poetry

• Marielle Gaiser: Poetry

• *Evan Jones: Review

• Eric Moore: Storytelling

• *Jessica Salpor: Spontaneous Speaking

2010 All-State Individual Events

• Andrew Sagers: Spontaneous Speaking

*All State Performers

Thespian Festival Awards

2023 - National Performer in Musical Theatre - Grant Anderson

2023 - National Performer in Acting - Aleigha Ausman

2023 - National Performer in Acting - Luci Hopkins

2022 - National Performer in Monologue - Maggie Leach

2018 - 2nd Place in Duet Acting - Hanna Kendall and Colby VanGorp

2018 - 2nd Place in Short Film - Elaine Schippers

2018 - All-State Cabaret Performers - Colby Van Gorp and Hanna Kendall

2017 - National Performer in Solo Musical Theatre - Caroline Henry

2017 - National Performers in Duet Musical Theatre - Caroline Henry and Natalie Henry

2017 - National Performer in Theatre Marketing - Brenna Hildebrand

2016 - National Performer in Costume Design - Mandolin Holmes

2015 - National Performers in Group Acting - Craig Miller, Paige Miller, Micah Criscuolo, Mallory Wheeler, Mandolin Holmes, Tate Petty

2015 - National Performer in Solo Musical Theatre - Natalie Henry

2014 - 1st Place for Costume Design - Victoria Karnes

2014 - National Performer for Theatre Marketing - Davis VandeSteeg

Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards

2023 - Little Shop of Horrors

• Production Award: Outstanding Overall Technical & Creative Achievement

• Production Award: Outstanding Student Orchestra

• Outstanding Featured Ensemble - The Urchins

• Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role - Jacob Rietveld as "Seymour"

• Outstanding Achievement in a Behind-the-Scenes Role - Ryder Bates for Sound Design and Board Operation

• Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role - Kolton Messer as "Audrey 2 Voice"

2021 - The Addams Family

• Production Awards Distinguished Scene – “When You’re An Addams” Student Awards 

• Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Hannah Tschetter as “Morticia Addams” 

• Outstanding Sound Design/Sound Board Operation – Ryder Bates 

• Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Braelyn Ensor as "Wednesday Addams" 

• Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Travis Mitchell as “Gomez Addams” 

• Special Recognition for Light Board Operation – Jacob Byers

Best Thespian Awards

2024 - Luci Hopkins

2023 - Aleigha Ausman

2022 - Maggie Leach

2021 - Connor Gauley

2020 - Hanna Kendall

2019 - Luigi Lopez

2018 - Isaac Zeimetz

2017 - Ryan Van Maanen

2016 - Craig Miller

2015 - Matthew Weihe

2014 - Aaron Van Maanen

2013 - Micah Zeimetz

Poetry Out Loud

2024 - Loic O'Neil

2023 - Josephine McDonald

2022 - Josephine McDonald

2021 - Josephine McDonald

2019 - Elaine Schippers - 2nd place