After both being successful in last years’ Miriam Lutcher Stark Reading Contest, Alicia Odom placed first in Declamation, reading “Children’s Era” by Margaret Sanger and Lance Parks placed first in Interpretive Reading with “Growing Up” by Russell Baker. Both placed first in the other side last year, earning scholarship money ($2000 each) and Odom placed first in Interpretive Reading at the county level, earning an extra $5000.

Both will again compete at the county finals set for late April. Placing second and earning scholarships of $1,500 were Naomi James in Interpretive Reading with her piece from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Alexis Baumgartner in Declamation, reading “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” by Hilliary Rodham Clinton.

Others who competed in Interpretive Reading were T’Era Garrett, Ciara Dunn, Erika Jordan and Elizabeth Sean. Declamation readers were Jaya Tizeano, Darryl Webb, London Stroud and Marlon Cortez.