ORANGE —
Ten students from five Orange County high schools participated in the annual Stark Reading and Declamation contest on Sunday, but it was two students from Orangefield who came out on top.
The Orange County Finals of the 108th Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation was held Sunday afternoon inside the Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts in downtown Orange as 10 students representing five area high schools - West Orange-Stark, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Orangefield, Bridge City and Vidor - competed for scholarships.
Haley Permenter and Kirsten Wolfford, both of Orangefield High School, claimed the top spots in Declamation and Interpretive Reading, respectively. Each student was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to the university of their choice and a plaque.
Permenter’s speech was “Declaration of Conscience” by Margaret Chase Smith was thought-provoking for the audience, while Wolfford’s reading of “The Singing Lesson” by Katherine Mansfield was most impressive and entertaining.
The second place winner in Declamation was Julian VanDevender of Vidor High School, who read President Ronald Reagan’s address to the nation following the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. The second place winner in Interpretive Reading was Adrian Morgan, who delivered a mesmerizing reading of “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.
VanDevender and Morgan each received a scholarship for $2,500.
Other participants in Declamation included Brittney Perry, West Orange-Stark; Jordan Smith, Bridge City; and Zoe Casteel, Little Cypress-Mauriceville. The remaining contestants in Interpretive Reading were Paige Pollard, West Orange-Stark; Ivy Casteel, Little Cypress-Mauriceville; and Kinnedy Mitchell, Vidor.
Each of the 10 participants at Sunday’s event also received a gold watch from the Stark Foundation, a tradition which has spanned the 108 year history of the event. Each participant has already received a $1,500 or $2,000 scholarship for placing first or second at their respective school’s contest prior to the finals on Sunday.
More than 120 students from the five area high schools participated in this year’s Stark Reading and Declamation contests. More than $500,000 in scholarships have been awarded by the Stark Foundation to high school students since 1976.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The Orange County Finals of the Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation was held on Sunday, April 29, at the Lutcher Theater in Orange. Winners are Julian VanDevender, Vidor High School, second place, declamation; Haley Permenter, Orangefield High School, first place, declamation; Kirsten Wolfford, Orangefield High School, first place, interpretive reading; and Adrian Morgan, Bridge City High School, second place, interpretive reading. Leader photo by Tommy Mann Jr.
Discussion
Orangefield students sweep Stark Reading and Declamation contest
- Local News
-
-
Sells for disposal passes and annual stickers for collection site begin
Orange County now has annual window stickers and disposal passes on sale at the Road and Bridge Office and at the Tax Office in Orange and Vidor.
-
West Orange–Stark Middle School establishes Builders Club
Service, character building, and inclusiveness are the tenants of a new organization that has formed at West Orange Stark Middle School.
-
It's all about location, location, location....
Mrs. Rhonda Harmon’s PreK3 class at St. Mary Catholic School is learning about location.
-
25th Annual Hurricane Party honors Sheila and Walter Umphrey
The Beaumont and Orange County American Red Cross Chapters will honor Sheila and Walter Umphrey at its 25th Annual Hurricane Party: Cocktails and Camo on Thursday, May 23.
-
Revival to help Orange African American Museum
Minister of Samaritan Way Outreach Ministries Barbara Myles wanted to do something to help the Orange African American Museum.
-
Science Superstar experiments
Seventh grade students in Emily Domas’ science class at West Orange–Stark Middle School enjoyed participating in Michael Hoke’s Science Superstar experiments.
-
Book Review: Adopting Darrell
The number of cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome are only estimates as many cases are misdiagnosed.
-
Student of the month...
The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Ashlee Taylor as the Student of the Month.
-
2 Orange County men promoted at BPD
Two men from Orange County with careers in law enforcement have been promoted to new positions.
-
Entergy says be mindful of electrical hazards
In recognition of National Electrical Safety Month throughout May, Entergy is joining with Electrical Safety Foundation International to raise awareness about potential home electrical hazards and the importance of electrical safety.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Sells for disposal passes and annual stickers for collection site begin
