MCH students excel during district fine arts competition

The hard work of students from Methodist Children’s Home charter school paid off during the recent Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship (TCAF) Fine Arts Competition and One Act Play competition, with two MCH students bringing home state honors.

Students prepared their fine arts projects during afterschool programs led by the MCH recreation department. Projects were submitted in instrumental, dance, photography, and theatre. Kellie Bennet, recreation coordinator, helped the students prepare dance routines this semester. She said her dance students worked for three months perfecting their routine for competition and received an “Excellent” rating for their efforts.

“I am so proud that I hung up their award in my office so I can look at it every day,” Bennett said.

She said her solo and duet dancers also impressed her, with one soloist, Camray, awarded second place in state for the second year in a row.

“As a coach, I could not be more proud of the group of kiddos I was blessed with this season, and I can’t wait to see what next season has in store for us,” Bennett said.

Faith, a photography student, also received state honors, placing first for her photograph of the Harrell Memorial Chapel on the MCH Waco campus.

Theatre students performed “Finders Keepers” during the One Act Play competition, a drama about a couple who finds a large sum of money that they later find out belongs to a neighbor. The couple grapples with the decision on whether to return or keep the money. The play earned the theatre group a B ranking. Two individuals also received honors with Shane earning All Star First Cast and Faith earning an Honorable Mention.

“I was really proud and impressed by them during the competition because they were really nervous and it was their first time perform in in large crowd,” said Gabe Garcez, theatre instructor. “But they really excelled in their performances, and I felt it was the best they’ve done all semester.”

Ashley Kendrick, student events coordinator, said competitions such as these are a great learning experience for the students.

“Our students have worked hard this semester to either surpass last year’s accomplishments, grow their talents, or challenge themselves to try something new,” Kendrick said. “The extracurricular activities our students participated in challenge them to step out of their comfort zone at times, teaches how to be a team player, builds their self-confidence, and shows them how to reach for a goal. We are so proud of them and all that they accomplished!”

Below is a list of results:

Instrumental:

Faith C. – Excellent

Dance Solo:

Camray – Superior and 2^nd in state

Natavia – Excellent

Andy – good

Natalie – Good

Dance Duet:

Nikkie and Christina – Good

Dance Team:

Team (Natavia, Aniya, Camray, Nikkie, Andy, Christina, Lacey, Natalie) – Excellent

Photography:

Lauren – Excellent

Faith W. – Superior and 1^st in state

Alexis – Good

Kiyona – Good

Victoria – Good

Monologue:

Lacey – Excellent

Abigial – Good

One Act Play:

B ranking overall

Faith – Honorable Mention

Shane – All Star First Cast

Congratulations to all our fine arts and one act play students!