Area high school students will perform in the Iowa High School Speech Association State Contest today in Cedar Rapids.

Pella Community has 16 events advancing to State out of 19 entries, while the PCHS speech team entered eleven speech events with ten receiving I’s and advancing to state at Cedar Rapids Washington.

Knoxville has two entries participating, and Pleasantville has several students in six different categories.

Those who participate at the state speech contest can earn a special recommendation from a judge to earn All-State recognition, the highest possible honor for Iowa High School Speech Students.