An elite group of only eight one-act plays from across the state of Iowa are selected each year by the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) to perform at the Large Group All-State Festival--out of over 190 one-acts originally entered every year in the event.  In addition, the top honor of all the one-acts performed at the Festival each year is awarded "The Critic's Choice" and, for the next year, the IHSSA's One-Act "Critic's Choice Traveling Banner" hangs in the winning school.

An elite group of All-State Individual Honors are also selected each year when only 400 students are selected by the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) from across the state of Iowa to perform at the Individual Events All-State Festival--out of nearly 9,000 students who started competition in the events at the District level.

Below are the All-State Honors (both Large Group and Individual Events) earned by Pella Christian's Speech Forensic Teams:

2011

Readers Theatre  -  This is a Test

Abigail Fincel (Alaina), Maria Van Wolde (Lois), Julie Jansen (Teacher), Kayla Veenstra (Pat),
Courtney Griggs (Chris), Voices:  Lauren Griggs, Jaclyn Kuyers, Ashley Vander Molen, Leah Vander Hart, Michaela Martin (Clock)

Solo Musical Theatre  -  Wicked

           Nicole Vande Zande  -  "Popular," by Gregory Maquire

Storytelling:

           Abigail Fincel  -  "No More Jumping on the Bed," by Tedd Arnold

2010

One Act Play  -  Orphan Trains  -  Critic's Choice Award

Nicole Vande Zande (Evie / Mrs. Albright), Alexa Zylstra (Social Work Agents), Sara Van Gorp (Katie),
Chris McLaughlin (Harvey), Kristi Van Wyk (Maria), David Visser (Lucky), India Sarver (Miss Billings),
Seth Fopma (Mr. Singer), Jalissa Morgan (Mrs. Singer), Amber Attema   (Newsboy / Mrs. Hendron),
Emily Visser (Justina), Jillian Kuyers (Miss Lyons), Julie Jansen (Mrs. Burke), Jeremy Visser (Patrick);
Chess Van Wyk (Sound Operator)

Solo Musical Theatre  -  You're A Good Man Charlie Brown

Nicole Vande Zande  -  "My New Philosophy," by Clark Gesner

Prose  Interpretation:

Chess Van Wyk  -  "The Plague of Tics," by David Sedaris

2009

One Act Play  -  Rags

Rachel Van Gorp (Rebecca), Michael Van Waardhuizen (David), Bre Van Peursem (Bella), David Visser (Avram), Cameron Van Kooten (Saul), Chris McLaughlin (Nathan), Shelby Vander Molen (Rosa),
Ethan Van Kooten (Mr. Bronstein), John Veenstra (Big Tim Sullivan), Sweatshop Sewers:  Stephanie Fynaardt, Sara Van Gorp, Nicole Vande Zande, Kaylee Van Weelden, Kristi Van Wyk, Alexa Zylstra; 
Amber Duryee (Sound Operator)

Prose Interpretation: 

Maria Bouwkamp  -  "Sarah Plain and Tall," by Patricia MacLachlan

Public Address:   

Levi Grandstaff  -  "They Also Serve," by Harold Sliker

2008

One Act Play  -  The Yellow Boat

Andrew Stam (Father), Bre Van Peursem (Mother), Michael Van Waardhuizen (Benjamin), Rachel Van Gorp (Joy), Kendra Schiebout (Doctor), Shelby Vander Molen (Doctor), Cameron Van Kooten (Doctor),
Sara Van Gorp (Nurse), Anna De Haan (Nurse), Stephanie Fynaardt (Edie), Nicole Vande Zande (Edie's Mother), Clare Laverman (Teacher);  Abbie Wynja (Sound Operator)
 

Musical Theatre  -  Les Mis

Andrew Stam (Marius), Kendra Schiebout (Eponine)  -  Les Mis

Acting:

Andrew Stam  (Buddy)  -  The Diviners

Cameron Van Kooten  (Narrator)  -  The Tell-Tale Heart

Shelby Vander Molen  -  Alice in Wonderland

Interpretive Prose:

Andrew Stam  -  "Fibrications," by Terry McManus

Rachel Van Gorp  -  "Chrysanthemum," by Kevin Henkes

2007

Acting: 

Andrew Stam  -  Conrad  -  Ordinary People

Prose Interpretation: 

Andrew Stam  -  "I'm So Embarrassed," by Robert Munsch

Poetry Interpretation: 

Rachel Van Gorp  -  "Mysteries of the Night"  (selected)

Stephanie Fynaardt  -  "Brothers and Sisters"  (selected)