Sara Stadem | Editor
The West Central Oral Interp (OI) team traveled to Vermillion on Tuesday, November 16, to compete in the Regional Oral Interp competition.
According to West Central OI Coach Kim Schmidt, there were six judges total for the regional competition, three judges per round.
West Central was represented by nine students in multiple categories. They were:
Readers Theater – Kamden Knudtson, Emily Hofer, Blake Stark, Keira Heider, Lauren Murphy and Eliot Nielsen.
Humor – Emily Hofer
Dramatic Duo – Emily Hofer and Elijah Hoey
Non-Original Oratory – Audrey Prostrollo
Poetry – Keira Heider
Serious Drama – Sophia Prostrollo
Schmidt explained the students have been practicing since the first week of school with practices taking place every Thursday night from 6 pm – 8 pm or later. The students also utilize before and after school on other days, Schmidt said.
“These students are all very involved in many other activities but give up their time every week to practice and coordinate with other members,” Schmidt said. She continued, “In the fall, they would be at school by 7:30 am for band, go to school all day, compete in sports or fine arts until 5:30 pm and then come to Interp practice at 6 until 8 or later.”
The OI students have been competing throughout the season, according to Schmidt, with competitions at Washington High School twice, Roosevelt High School and Dakota State University with several students that got up on stage in each competition.
During the region competition, Schmidt said, “Every single competitor came to support the others who competed.” She continued, “During regular competition, the coaches and other competitors are not able to watch each other perform but at Regions, we are all able to be there for each other.”
“Our students received the Sweepstakes award which means the team as a whole won first,” Schmidt said. “They are a dedicated group of students and we are so proud of their hard work.”
All nine students will be representing West Central at the State Oral Interp competition which will take place December 3-4 in Huron. Schmidt explained the State Oral Interp competition is open to the public with COVID-19 protocols in place.