CAIRO- For the first time in 16 years Cairo High School won 1st Place in their regional Literary Competition. They are currently in GHSA Region 1-AAAA, competing against Bainbridge High School, Shaw High School, Hardaway High School, and Westover High School. At the region competition on Saturday, February 24th, Cairo placed first overall and Westover placed second.
Literary is the overall title for multiple individual and group competitions that cover a variety of scholastic and arts themes. Cairo High School Literary Coordinator, Ms. Brandi Adkins, said, “Literary competition highlights the performative arts, showcasing the best talents in writing, theatre, music, and debate.”
In the music portion events include Girl’s Solo, Boy’s Solo, Quartet, and Trio. In the writing portion there are three essays: argumentative, personal, and literary analysis. In the extemporaneous speaking (debate) section there are both domestic and international with prompts based on current events. In the literary interpretation (theatre) category events include solo dramatic, solo humorous, and duo performance. Students and coaches have been preparing for these events for the past few months.
Cairo brought home first place wins in nine of the available twelve categories. 1st Place winners include: Marla Weaver – Argumentative Essay, Jenna Marie Melvin – Literary Analysis, Cort Lauder – Extemporaneous Speaking Domestic, Andrew Cumbaa – Extemporaneous Speaking International, Ella Singletary – Dramatic Interpretation, Kennedi Smart – Humorous Interpretation, Morgan Griffin and Jenna Marie Melvin – Duo Interpretation, Ronnie Gordon III – Boy’s Solo, Kennedi Smart, Kylah Pierce, NyLivia Corker – Trio. The Trio, Dramatic Interpretation, and Duo Interpretation category competitors are all celebrating a second year win in those areas. Also competing for Cairo on the Literary Team were Ellie Barrineau – Personal Essay, and Sofia Lopez – Girl’s Solo. Coaches in attendance at the competition were Dr. Erikka Edwards – music director and Mrs. Austin Harrell – theatre director.
Each of the first place winners will advance to the state championship in Buford on Saturday, March 23rd. Cairo High School Principal, Dr. William Huff, and Grady County Schools Athletic Director, Mr. Sam Holland, both expressed their sincere congratulations to all of the competitors and the coaches involved.
Per the trophies on display in the Cairo High School Auditorium, the school has not won the state literary championship since 1965. Literary is an event based on overall points, the school with the highest accumulation of points will win. A first place category win is worth seven points, second is worth five, third is worth three, and fourth is worth one point. With competitors in nine of the twelve categories, Cairo logistically has a shot at bringing home the overall state title this year. While there is not a record of individual category wins kept at Cairo High School for this competition, it is believed that it has been at least 17 years since there has been a state champion in any category from CHS.
Adkins added, “through teamwork, dedication, and perseverance, this group has achieved the long-awaited region title. With pride, we always give our best, and on March 23rd at the state competition, this group will proudly represent Cairo High School. Please wish all the competitors and coaches luck in striving for the state title.”