The GHSA A Region III Literary Competition was Friday, March 7, at Southeast Technical College in Vidalia. 

Sixteen Bryan County High School students participated and the Redskins led the region in individual wins as well as winning the first place team trophy, beating the other six teams in their region. 

Despite the stiff competition, BCHS held out on top.

"I think that literary went very well this year," competitor Meghan Shuman said. "Our team really stepped up and we got the win we were hoping for. After state last year, with it being my first year, I think it went pretty well. I learned how to improve my speeches and I hope to place higher this year.  I think our team will do well at state." 

Literary Coordinator and Extemporaneous Speaking Coach D'Lee Pollock said she is very proud and impressed by the students.

"We set a goal last year that second place wasn’t good enough and this year we made first place happen," she said. "Our young team, mostly sophomores, has a strong work ethic and a diligence that made our dream a reality. Our coaches and students have spent numerous hours preparing for events that may last only ten minutes or less, but the motivation and endurance by all have paid off.  We are looking forward to our chance at the state competition next weekend and we have once again been practicing and perfecting our performances."

Last year, BCHS won second place and this year’s first place win has upset a long-standing first place finisher, Calvary Day School. The literary competition is an academic- and performance-based annual liberal arts contest.

Six Redskins took first place in an individual or group event:  Senior Roshunda Washington, Senior Kelsey Hill and Sophomore Katie Smith for girls’ trio; Sophomore Britany Shuman for girl’s solo; Senior Joey Ferreira for boy’s essay; and Senior Meghan Shuman for girl’s extemporaneous speaking. Shuman placed fifth in the state last year for extemporaneous and will return to state again with her other first place team members.

Second place winners were Sophomore Robert Shaul for boy’s extemporaneous speaking, Sophomore Aaron Bashlor for boy’s dramatic interpretation, and Junior Christy Cook for girl’s dramatic interpretation.  Senior Rufus Boyd placed third in the boy’s solo competition.  Additional Bryan County team members were: Senior Jennifer Waters, Sophomore Michelle Mitchler, Freshman Christina Herb, Sophomore Joshua Adams, Sophomore Lauren Hodges, and Sophomore Ryan Poythress.

Literary coaches for the 2007-2008 team were Ms. D’Lee Pollock (Literary Coordinator and Extemporaneous Speaking Coach), Mrs. Adrian Opper (Chorus Coach), Mrs. Taylor Culjan (Girl’s Dramatic Interpretation Coach), Mr. Robert Dale (Boy’s Dramatic Interpretation Coach), and Mr. Rob Elliott (Essay Coach). 

First place winners will be competing in the Georgia-wide literary meet on Saturday, March 15, at Northside High School in Warner Robins.