State Champs

It is somewhat hard to put into words the emotions that go through your heart and mind when you are a parent and you hear the name of your son or daughter called by the emcee, followed by the words “State Champion.”

I was fortunate to hear those words last April and I heard them again this past weekend when Lisa and I attended the 2013 Tennessee High School Speech and Drama League state tournament. We served as drivers and chaperones for the weekend but late on Saturday afternoon, we were just a mom and a dad full of pride when we heard the news that Paul had won the state championship for storytelling for a second straight year.

Paul won first place in storytelling with “Fluffy the Gangbuster,” by Richard Peck.  He won last year for “The Night the Bed Fell” by James Thurber. If you were to ask me which performance I enjoyed more, I would be hard-pressed to answer. Both were excellent – just unique and different.

Watching him do his final presentation was a bit emotional but, at the same time, it was just so very enjoyable. He nailed it.

As a Farragut parent and alum, it was also great to hear all the wonderful news about the achievements of all the members of the Farragut team. In addition to Paul’s win, Farragut took home three other first place trophies.  Connor Hess was named Best Actor and won first place in solo acting and the student-directed Interpretive Theatre piece, “Calvin and Hobbes,” adapted and directed by FHS senior Skylar Grieco also won first place.

It was a good day for Farragut.

Connor won Best Actor for his portray of Ludlow in the One Act Play “Finger Painting in a Murphy Bed.” Paul and Dallas Boudreaux were named to the “All Star Cast” for their portrayals of Reggie and Myra in the same play.

Connor also won first place in solo acting with a piece from “The Rainmaker.”.

Farragut had a number of other finalists. “Finger Painting in a Murphy Bed” finished in second place in the category, One Act Plays.  Other Farragut award winners:
• Bridget Sellers – 3rd place – Poetry
• Skylar Grieco – 3rd place – After Dinner Speaking
• “I am Number Four” (adapted and directed by Connor Hess) – 5th Place – Interpretive Theatre
• Dallas Boudreaux – 5th place – Solo Acting
• Kaci Deakins – 6th place – Costume Design

In all, 27 FHS students represented their district in state competition. They are coached by teachers Lea McMahan and David Crutcher. The THSSDL state tournament was held April 12-13 at Northeast High School in Clarksville.

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, FHS students celebrated Farragut’s excellent showing. From L-R (front row): Brian Hooyman, Skylar Grieco, Caroline Rexrode, Rachel Liske; (middle row): Kaci Deakins, Emily Stiles, Logan Smart, Dallas Boudreaux, Paul Gary, Connor Hess; (back row): Austin Teagarden, Mason Laning.

Then, it was time to hit the road and head home!

JG

Originally posted April 15, 2013