Last Saturday, March 9, the Trion High School Literary Team traveled to Lincoln County High School for their competition. Despite many challenges, the team tied for third place. The dedication of team members Jenna Chance, Rielly Beckner, DJ Hester, and Heather Whited, and Coaches Lana Moseley and Maghan Bagley was shown in the team’s performance.

                The team’s greatest achievement was two third-place finishes in solo singing. Freshman Jenna chance performed “O Rest in the Lord” by Felix Mendelssohn and “Memory” by Andrew Lloyd Webber beautifully.  Senior DJ Hester stole the show with his performances of “Caro Mio Ben” by Giuseppe Giordani and “I Can Go the Distance” by Alan Menken. Coach Bagley was extremely proud of them.

                Freshman Rielly Beckner had a masterful dramatic interpretation performance. Her moving interpretation of an excerpt from The Diary of Anne Frank was something to be remembered. The act took fourth place overall, much to her surprise. Given how hard she had worked, however, nobody expected any less of her.

                Sophomore Heather Whited rounded out the group with her writing skills. She had the task of writing a full essay within strict time limits after choosing a topic from a list of three current events and three literary works. The task was difficult, but Heather rose to the challenge and wrote a wonderful essay.

                These achievements are made all the greater given the challenges the team faced. None of the Trion team members had ever competed before. Along with their inexperience, the 6A region was changed this year, and the meet was moved, forcing the team to travel four hours one way just to compete. Overall, Coach Moseley said, “The students worked very hard and we were well pleased with where we placed.”