By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Performers from Sitka High and Mt. Edgecumbe high schools captured a number of titles at the first-ever regional drama, debate and forensics meet last weekend in Ketchikan.
“It was a chance for kids to win some awards for Southeast,” said Sitka coach Christian Litten. “Sitka seemed to have a lot of finalists in a lot of events.”
Sitka High brought home top awards in forensics, drama, debate, and sweepstakes (overall).
Marcia Drake, head coach at Mt. Edgecumbe, said her team collected a number of prizes, including first place for drama, second in forensics and second in sweepstakes.
“Our team has been performing well throughout the season and this tournament was validation of our hard work,” she said in an emailed report to the Sentinel.
Sitka High
Sitka High took first in public forum debate (Cora Dow and Hahlen Behnken-Barkhau), Extemporaneous Speaking (Anja Brooks-Schmidt) and Duo Interpretation (Zia Allen and Levi Danielson), and finaled in a number of other events, including duet, solo acting, extemporaneous commentary, original oratory, humorous interp, and mime. Three competitors reached finals in the categories of extemp comm, extemp speaking, oratory and solo acting.
Litten said two debate teams – Osborne/Brooks-Schmidt and Hahlen Behnken-Barkhau/Cora Dow – were 6-0 in public forum debate. Dow and Behnken-Barkhau ended up winning the event; Brooks-Schmidt and Osborne took second.
“Their debate coach was proud,” Litten said of co-coach Amy Ainslie. The debate topic for Ketchikan and the state meet next month is, “Resolved: The United States should replace means-tested welfare programs with a universal basic income.”
Allen and Danielson performed a piece from “Crazytown,” by Jonathan Rand, and won the duo category.
Litten said the meet went well, and he was pleased with the helpful and thoughtful comments from the judges. Plaques, medals and certificates were given to competitors for the first time for a regional meet.
SHS Results
Extemporaneous Commentary: 2. Darby Osborne; 4. Tava Guillory; 6. Addie Poulson
Extemporaneous Speaking: 1. Anja Brooks-Schmidt; 2. Kanish Djaker; 3. Hahlen Behnken-Barkhau
Original Oratory: 1. Addie Poulson; 2. Darby Osborne; 6. Tava Guillory
Mime: 2. Hahlen Behnken-Barkhau, Asa Dow, Savannah Lacey, Rebecca Warren
Duo Interpretation of Literature: 1. Zia Allen and Levi Danielson
Humorous Intepretation of Literature: Levi Danielson
Duet Acting: 2. Cora Dow and Asa Dow
Solo Acting: 2. Kayla Sheakley; 4. Rebecca Warren; 6. Zia Allen
Public Forum Debate: 1. Cora Dow and Hahlen Behnken-Barkhau; 2. Anja Brooks-Schmidt and Darby Osborne
Team Awards: Region V Drama Champion; Debate Champion, Forensics Champion and Sweepstakes Champion.
MEHS Results
Drake said MEHS placed first in the Drama category, 2nd in Forensics (public speaking), and 2nd in overall sweepstakes points.
Stephanie Eakin (Kotzebue) was the highest individual placing winner for the Braves, with wins in Dramatic Interpretation of Literature and Humorous Interpretation of Literature, and 3rd in Mime.
“Stephanie is a consummate performer,” Drake said. “She takes feedback, internalizes it and applies those ideas to each performance.” Eakin’s DI is taken from “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas.
“This timely piece gives a powerful narrative about the racial divide plaguing America,” Drake said. “Through the voice of Star, Stephanie brings the message to life.”
The coaches selected Eakin for a command performance for which she received a standing ovation. “I am very proud of the work Stephanie combines with her talent,” Drake said.
Drake’s report on the meet included a comment from Eakin: “Sometimes it is hard to perform controversial topics like racial divide, but I just remember that it is more important to spread awareness and my fears can’t get in the way of that. Never be afraid to reach for the stars.”
MEHS Results:
Brianna Reyes (Chitina) - 3rd Oration
Brianna Reyes & Fiona Raasch (Sitka) - 3rd Duo Interp
Wynn Piltz (Anchorage) - Dramatic Interp - 3rd
Wilson Kimber (Sitka) - Informative Speaking - 5th; Extemporaneous Speaking - 6th
Jesse Hanson (Sitka) - Extemporaneous Speaking - 5th
Marissa Crabtree (Anchorage) - Solo Acting - 3rd
Esther Burdick (Sitka), Fiona Raasch & Wynn Piltz - Reader’s Theater - 3rd
Ethan Merculief (Anchorage) - Pantomime - 5th
