Special to The Leader

The West Orange – Stark High School Finals of the Stark Reading Finals were held last night.

Finalists in Declamations were Erick Cortez, E’Laziah Nickerson, Ryan Ragsdale, Aaliyah Wilson, and Halle Brown. Finalists in Interpretive Readings were Essence Landry, Wyndie Williams, Kiara Pitre, Chyne Daw, and Ciara Griffin.

Ryan Ragsdale and Essence Landry placed second in their respective categories. E’Laziah Nickerson and Wyndie Williams each won first place honors in Declamation and in Interpretive Readings, respectively.

First place winners are awarded a $2000 scholarship. Second place recipients earn a $1500 scholarship. Nickerson and Williams will advance to compete in the Orange County Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation which will be held Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at the Lutcher Theater.

The contest is sponsored by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation.