For the third year in a row, the Emery High drama team took their place as region champions in a big way. Emery took the top spot with a score nearly 100 points higher than the second place team, South Sevier.
All six schools in attendance brought contest plays to the competition, which makes the region one of the toughest in the state. The region includes teams from Wasatch Academy, North Sevier, South Sevier, Emery, Grand and San Juan.
This year, director Neal Peacock chose to take a play entitled “Skeeter Johnson, All American Boy” as Emery’s contest play. Peacock said this is a fun play and the judges really liked it. They received straight superior ratings and the award for best play. The students will get to compete at the state level with this play.
Several individuals also earned awards at the competition. Derek Anderson was awarded best actor and Devin Miller took home best character actor. Julie Doria won best supporting actress.
According to Peacock, in his 32 years of coaching the drama team he has never had every student place high enough to go to state until this year. Overall, Emery left the competition with three first places, two seconds, two third place finishes and the title of region champs.
Peacock said this group is full of really talented actors. Brittany Fortner placed first for the second year in a row in the dramatic monologue category.
Mark DeBry and Madelyn Carter placed first in classical category with a humorous scene by french playwright Moliere.
“I like to see kids push to do their best. Too much in high school we let kids be average and drama is something that if you are average, you won’t make it,” Peacock said. “That’s my favorite part. I like to see kids be really excellent at something and our scores show that these kids are.”