The Drama Arts students represented our school in front of the Virginia Theater Association Committee with award winning sets and costume designs.

Two of our juniors placed highly in the costume design division. There were 18 students entered in this group. Usually seniors are the only students who place in the top five, but our juniors showed the judges their talent. Junior Julia Staron came in second place in the costume design section and was proud of her achievement.

“It was an all-state competition, so naturally it was intense,” said Staron. “The judges were harsh, but I still got a good review and score.”

Junior Amanda Mueller also placed highly in the costume design division. She designed two costumes for characters. In entering the competition, she sent in her costume sketches along with an explanation as to why she chose to design them the way she did. The judges gave her positive comments and some constructive criticism, and ended up ranking her fourth.

“I was really shocked that two juniors from our school scored so highly,” said Mueller.

Although new to our drama program, freshman Rebecca Waldrop placed fourth in set design. She is the first Spartan freshman ever to place in the set design category.

“I was totally not expecting to place,” said Waldrop. “The experience was enjoyable, and the judges gave me good critiques on my set design that will help me place higher next year.”

Senior Kent Kachejian received an All Star Cast award for his performance in the one-act play that WS Drama put on, entitled “The Greek Mythology Olympia Ganza,” a spoof on characters from mythology.

One of the night’s biggest awards went to senior Batul Rizvi, who received the Virginia Technical Theater Scholarship. Rizvi was selected to be our school’s applicant for the reward, as only one student per school can submit an application. The applicants then compete for the $1,000 scholarship to any college in Virginia.

“It was very rewarding,” said Rizvi. “It was cool to see all of the things I have done all on one application.”

All of the new award-winners will be taking part in the production of “Is He Dead?” by Mark Twain. Performances began November 18 and will run through November 20. Theater Director Mary Jo Levesque is extremely proud of her students.

“Our theater students exemplify the best behavior from all Fairfax County students. These students display outstanding behavior, talent, self discipline, but most of all the way they conduct themselves as representatives of our school. They make me proud to be their teacher,” said Levesque.