Pictured (L-R) Miles Millard and Demedrious Lyons
Two Carroll High School (CHS) students had outstanding performances at the March 10 Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) state competition, earning them a spot on the all-state program. Both of these stand-out performances were presented to the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education on Monday night. Miles Millard, bassist and vocalist for Carroll’s own Bad Authority, entered his piece in the reviewing category, in which he deconstructed Nirvana’s 1991 album, “Nevermind.” He says the band influenced his musical interests, but adds their lyrics and instrumentals were far from inspiring.
His seven-minute speech is performed entirely from memory. Millard says it took a lot of time and effort to get to the final product and that it developed over the course of several months.
The second all-state entry was a public address from Demedrious Lyons. This category gives students up to eight minutes to create their own interpretation of a famous speech, and Lyons chose to perform his take on John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address.
Although Lyons worked to incorporate JFK’s speaking style and mannerisms into the performance, it was the overall message that solidified selection of this particular piece.
Lyons and Millard will perform at the IHSAA All-State Festival Monday, March 26 at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls. Both students’ presentations can be found included below this story.
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Miles Millard: All-State Nirvana Review
Demedrious Lyons: All-State Public Address
