The IESBVI Rams forensics team is making a name for itself: Winner.
2024 marked the third time Rams Forensics enjoyed receiving a first-place trophy since 2020. That says a lot, because the Rams don’t have the benefit of being coached in person, and instead rely on Zooms with Sheryl Thomsen, IESBVI coach. Thomsen coaches students after school, at night and on the weekends. She could even be seen working with a student remotely on the Friday night of IESBVI’s Spring Family Conference, fielding staff questions and providing student feedback almost simultaneously.
“I am humbled by how the students listened (to feedback) and grew this season,” she said. “Everyone placed and nearly everyone received a medal. They perform and behaved beautifully, making our program and state proud.”
This North Central Association of Schools for the Blind competition started with virtual rounds in mid-April, with the final round taking place in Louisville, Ky. the weekend of April 19 & 20. The Rams competed against eight schools for the blind and visually impaired, earning 371 points from the three rounds- 80 more than the second place team.
Thomsen notes nearly half of her students were new this year, which demonstrates the dedication the students had to preparing and practicing their pieces. One notable win was Adalyn Hyde, a freshman from Waterloo. Although not a first-time competitor, Hyde earned a first place medal in both her impromptu and storytelling categories.
Other successes are as follows:
*Kayla Bartholomew – Great Speeches: sixth place
Bode Brunsvold – Poetry: third place medal
*Felicia Burns – Eight-minute Speech: first place medal
Dylan Carter and Jude Corkery – Duo: third place medal
*Rhiana Darra – Serious Prose: third place medal
Jalyn Decker – Humorous Interpretation- first place medal
*Noah Joseph – Four-minute Speech: fourth place medal. Not bad considering he missed the final round due to illness!
*Brinley Perez – Humorous Prose: third place medal. She also missed the final round due to illness.
Tayler Soppe – Serious Interpretation: first place medal
* indicates those in their first year of forensics
