The Central Oregon Scholastic Art Awards have been tallied and the results were spectacular for Redmond High School art students. Seventeen schools participated this year with 734 total submissions. The artwork covers a broad spectrum of art from the expected painting and ceramics to digital art and metal work. RHS students earned 28 awards this year, an improvement over the 19 awarded last year including four gold medals, eight silver medals and 16 honorable mentions.
Student artwork that won awards will be on display at Pinckney Gallery at Central Oregon Community College through March 17.
Redmond Proficiency Academy Students Win Acting Awards
The Redmond Proficiency Academy (RPA) reported that 11 RPA students have qualified for April’s State Thespian Conference. The RPA Thespian Troupe competed in the annual South Regional Acting Competition on February 4 where the troupe won 19 awards. In addition to five state qualifying pieces, two other RPA performances were recognized as regional finalists.
“This year’s showing was a true testament to the work done by our RPA Theatre students,” said Kate Torcom, RPA’s theatre teacher and thespian troupe director. “I am constantly impressed by their dedication and enthusiasm.”
Katie Bullock, Siena Baker, Maria Kramer, Alyx Kruger, Aidan Bremont, Nate Viscaino, Izzy King, Marli Messner, Riley Newton, DaleMax Williams and Cael Reed qualified for the state competition in the large group musical category with the song Beautiful from Heathers, the Musical.
First-time winner junior Maria Kramer and sixth-time winner senior Katie Bullock are both going to the State Thespian Conference after their winning performances in the solo music category.
“I couldn’t be happier with the result. We all worked so hard and to see it pay off is the greatest feeling,” said Bullock. “I’m so proud to be a part of this department, and I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my last Regionals.”
In the duo competition, Comedic Experienced division, juniors Alyx Kruger and Aidan Bremont were named as regional finalists for their performance of Lovers and Other Strangers. Freshman Tayah Hester was awarded regional finalist in the Solo Acting Novice division.
Freshmen Izzy King and Marli Messner are State Qualifiers in the Duo Dramatic Novice category for their performance of Jailbait. Both were also members of the Large Group Musical number.
Redmond High School was the most decorated troupe from Central Oregon at Regionals and has established a reputation as a strong competitor school in the Southern Region.
Knock-Your Socks-Off
Redmond High School won the Southern Region’s Knock-Your-Socks-Off drive by collecting 409 pairs of socks for the homeless and less fortunate. “This was a last minute effort by our troupe, as the drive was only announced a week prior, and the students rallied,” said KateTorcom. “It was inspiring to see how committed they were to helping those in need.” RPA Theatre was awarded priority seating at the State competition for their charity efforts.
The 11 RPA winners from the February competition will continue to the Oregon State Thespian Conference, April 6-8. The conference is an annual festival that celebrates the talent and hard work of Oregon’s High School Theatre troupes.
Nearly 1,500 theatre students from around the state congregate in Salem for the three-day, two-night event which consists of workshops taught by industry professionals, one-acts, three main stage productions and the state showcase competition. These 11 performers have qualified for the International Thespian Festival this June in Lincoln, Nebraska. Siena Baker, Katie Bullock and Nate Viscaino were part of RPA’s Small Group Musical performance that earned Superior honors at last year’s
International Thespian Festival.