Drama team takes state

The Hot Springs County High School Drama Team took first place in 2A at the State Drama Festival this past weekend in Rock Springs. Twenty-four students traveled and competed against students from around the state of Wyoming.

In addition to the first place award, they also had six students receive All-State Medals and 19 students receive Honorable Mention awards.

The six students that received All-State Medals and a Superior rating are: Ben Manning (Stage Management), Breeze Petty (Stage Management), Savana Meier (Original Script - Monologue), Hannah Hu (Fantasy Makeup 3), Karissa McGarvie-Balstad (Costume 2), and Kaylee Shook (Costume 1).

The All-State students are all eligible to participate in the International Thespian Festival this upcoming summer in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The 19 students receiving Honorable Mention awards and an Excellent rating are: Hannah Hu (Publicity 3), Krynn McGinty (Original Script - One Act), Kyle Mosser (Musical Solo), Katie Burrows (Musical Solo), Aime Robinson (Musical Solo), Ashley Brawley (Musical Solo), Katie Burrows and Kyle Mosser (Musical Duet), Jack Ream (Set Design 1), Emily Anderson (Real Makeup 3), Kaylee Shook (Short Film), Karissa McGarvie-Balstad (Varsity Monologue), Ashley Brawley (Varsity Monologue), Cole Christiansen (Novice Monologue), Jean-Luc Willson (Novice Monologue), Aaron Hanson and Tyler Kay (Varsity Duet), Cole Christiansen and Jack Ream (Novice Duet), Jacob Randall and Jean-Luc Willson (Novice Duet), Ryan Miller and Michael Slagle (Novice Duet), and Elizabeth Wagstaff (Costume 2).

The one-act play, "The Lottery", took fifth place in arena.

The students that traveled and competed at State Drama Festival were: Emily Anderson, Ashley Brawley, Katie Burrows, Josiah Butler, Cole Christiansen, Sarina Guyon, Aaron Hanson, Hannah Hu, Tyler Kay, Taydee Landrum, Benjamin Manning, Karissa McGarvie-Balstad, Krynn McGinty, Ryan Miller, Kyle Mosser, Breeze Petty, Jacob Randall, Lane Randall, Jack Ream, Aime Robinson, Kaylee Shook, Michael Slagle, Elizabeth Wagstaff, and Jean-Luc Willson.

"I am so very proud of the students and all of their accomplishments," coach Mary McGillivray said. "Without every student involved giving their best we would not have been able to take first place Not only did they work extremely hard to prepare for this event but so many times they were noticed by other coaches and judges for the professionalism and sportsmanship that they showed."

"They are such an asset to this school and an excellent example of what being a Bobcat is all about. I also couldn't do this without the help of my assistant coach, Jenny Manning, and our drama mama, Shelly Burrows, not to mention the support of the staff, administration, parents, and community."