The Fauquier High Theatre students returned from a three-day competition at the Virginia State Theatre Conference at Shenandoah University on Sunday, January 26. The students carried home eight first-place Superior Medallions and eight Excellent Placings.

The students bringing back Excellent Awards are Skylar Andrews, Ashleigh Champlin, Rodman Schook, Lukas Reutzel, Jessica Pain, Griffith Klyne, Lucas McCulla and Abby Mesick.

Those bringing home First Place Superior Medallions are Mikey Goltry, Niamh Kierans, Macy Major, Bella Schaub, Cole Whittington and Gwenny Verity.

“[The competition] is always so much fun…I got to work with a bunch of awesome people…It’s just like reconnecting with family… For me, this is what brings me joy,” senior Bella Schaub says.

Schaub returned to Fauquier with two first-place Superior Medallions, awarded for her solo performance of “You Can Always Count On Me” from “City of Angels” and her duet of “Money, Money, Money” from “Cabaret” with sophomore Cole Whittington. Her interest in theatre started in middle school, and her love for acting has only grown since.

Theatre teacher Emmet Bales says his students earned their ratings through “diligence and dedication to the craft.” Students dedicate almost all of their day to theatre and are constantly working to be the best of the best, whether it be taking private lessons or taking dance classes.

“I don’t know any kind of field that you can’t take theatre in,” said Mr. Bales. “If you are going to be anyone or anything, you’re going to be leading people.” Skills learned in theatre can be carried over to lots of other fields of work, and it all starts in the younger years.