VHA Wins State One-Act Competition
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Vidalia Heritage Academy celebrated a state championship- winning performance of their 2021 One-Act Play, “This Is A Test,” on November 9.
The cast and crew travelled to the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton to participate in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class A One-Act Play State Competition, where they came in first place and received a perfect score from one of the three judges. Emily Jarriel was named an “All Star Cast” member of the State Competition, while judges gave a special “Shout Out” to the actors who made up the “Chorus,” which included Rylee Toole, Josey Harrell, and Aubrey Betsill.
VHA Headmaster Jeff McCormick shared his sentiments about this victory. “We have come close to winning the State Championship a few times, and last year, we had a runner-up finish at the State Competition,” he said. “At our community performance of the play last week, I just felt we had something special. I laughed all the way through it, as did the packed auditorium that came out to support the cast. We are very proud of these students and the teachers and staff who helped them.”
Cast members for the production were Emily Jarriel, Casen Jones, Julia Beacham, Rylee Toole, Josey Harrell, Aubrey Betsill, Riley Sanders, Ivy Kate Gilliam, Emily Monroe, Liliana Kersey, Kate Jarriel, Liliana Platova, Joel Gilliam, and Carleigh Miley.
Selena Hutcheson directed the play, while Nancy Harrell and Alexandria Lee were responsible for the sets, Owen Belcher controlled the sound, and Logan Belcher manned the lights.
Recently, GAPPS has developed a new middle school One-Act Play tournament, which VHA also plans to compete in. The VHA middle schoolers will begin auditions for parts in the play for competition this week.
FIELD TRIP — Fifth Grade Wheeler County Elementary School students recently took a trip into the wild as they visited the Georgia Southern Center for Wildlife Education. Students had hands-on experiences with many animals such as the Madagascar hissing cockroach, gopher tortoise, alligator, and Bearded dragon. They also handled and examined animal artifacts such as turtle shells, opossum fur, and snake sheds. Habitats, and the animals that live in them, were identified through a scavenger hunt. Students learned that certain animals have a symbiotic relationship, which means they are mutually beneficial to one another. Birds of prey, or Raptors, were flown in the amphitheater during a presentation, where students learned about each species of birds. Students were engaged in the lessons and learned the importance of protecting the animals and their habitats.
