LOA named region champions, third in state at literary meet

High school students from Lake Oconee Academy competed on  March 8 at the Region 8A-Div.II Literary Meet and were named region champions for the fourth year in a row. 

The competition focuses on student achievement in the areas of essay writing, extemporaneous speaking, dramatic and humorous presentation, and voice. The following students received region medals in their events, advancing to the State Meet.

• Essay, argumentative: Emilia Viscarra, first place

• Extemporaneous Speaking, domestic: Sydney Pattison, first place

• Literary Interpretation, Humorous Solo: Julia Dixon, first place

• Literary Interpretation, Dramatic Solo: Gracie Vandiver, first place

• Literary Interpretation, Duo: Rylee Oyler and Emilia Viscarra, first place

• Solo: Jewell Morrison, first place

• Trio: Lillian Garcia, Jennifer Mejia, Jewell Morrison, first place

 Two weeks later at the state literary meet, LOA competed against 29 other high schools in Georgia. Sydney Pattison (senior) was named state champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, Domestic Affairs while Julia Dixon (senior) won state runner-up in Literary Interpretation, Humorous Solo. Sophomore Emilia Viscarra also won state runner-up in Argumentative Essay. 

Third place went to the Girls’ Vocal Trio (Lillian Garcia, Jennifer Mejia, and Jewell Morrison) as well as the Literary Interpretation Duo (Rylee Oyler and Emilia Viscarra). Other placements included Jewell Morrison who placed 4th in Girls’ Solo.

Based on cumulative points, LOA was named the third-place school overall at the meet. This is the third year in a row that LOA has placed in the top three schools in the state of Georgia.  Students who competed were coached by LOA teachers Bobby Craig, Amy Reber, Caroline St. John, and Cara Sullivan.