Today through Sunday, Rising Stars is participating in a state conference at the University of Indianapolis, according to James Peterson, Rising Stars’ sponsor and drama teacher via email. In this competition, there are plenty of ways the Rising Stars members can participate and possibly earn scholarship money.

Peterson said, “Juniors can audition for colleges and seniors compete for three scholarships totaling about $2,000.”

One of the members participating this year is president and senior Sarah Donaldson. She said that she is competing in a few different categories, including advanced monologue and the cast competition.

“This year, there is much more competition. Instead of ‘here’s a ribbon,’ schools are getting placed in first, second and third places instead. The accolades are more intense,” Donaldson said.

Despite the amount of competition from other schools, Rising Stars’ past at this conference provides evidence of their hard work.

“We’ve participated in almost every year I’ve been here. We typically do very well. In all the years we’ve participated, we have had a winner in each category and one year we won all three scholarships. Other schools were not happy with us. Last year Sarah Benedict won best of category in technical design. We won seven other ribbons as well,” Peterson said.

This year, Rising Stars will be performing a short one-act play for the cast competition.

“We will be performing a short one-act play by Christopher Durang…It’s called ‘For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls’. It stars Sarah Donaldson, (juniors) Devin Smith, Matthew Hook and Ashley Nief,” Peterson said.

He also said that parents and students are welcome to attend performances, but that tickets are only available on campus during the conference.

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Competition events

James Peterson //  Source