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Literary Team’s reputation has been synonymous with excellence, as the team has captured championships in disciplines, such as acting, singing, speaking, and writing. The team has perfected their crafts throughout the years under the guidance of Head Coach Margaret Pournelle – who assisted coaching the acting pieces for several years before becoming the head coach 4 years ago – and Assistant Coaches Kellie Rowell and Jillian Davis.
“Thirteen years [of winning the championship] is almost unheard of around here,” Pournelle commented on the honor. “I’m very proud to be a part of it – there were other teachers at the helm before I became coach [that won championships, too]. Then, I was asked to help out with the acting, and eventually, took it over. It’s been amazing to become a part of it and see it grow more.”
She continued, “A tradition [of excellence] was already established before I got here, and it’s been amazing to continue that legacy.”
Pournelle explained that she oversees the acting pieces which compete in the dramatic, humorous, and duo interpretation contests. “I love coaching the acting pieces. Two of the categories – dramatic and humorous interpretation – are monologues. So, it’s just one student, but they have to play multiple characters within the monologues. That’s always really neat to see how they make themselves into more than one character and how we can work on the physicality and the vocalization.”
She added, “Then, the duo pieces are always fun because they play multiple characters. Each person plays multiple characters. And with the duo, it’s always fun to me to see, to figure out how to move them, to transition them into the characters. There’s a lot of like turning and spinning to kind of show they’re becoming a different character. That’s always fun – there’s an element of kind of choreography to it as well.”
Pournelle shared that Community Member Curt Peters often helps to coach these acting pieces, as he is a trained and certified mime, who understands the power and technique of speaking through body language and facial expressions. “They can’t use props [in the competition], so he’ll come help perfect their movements and show them how to do their hands if they are supposed to be holding something. I’m very grateful for him,” she said.
The competitors in the solo, trio, and quartet singing competitions are coached by Kellie Rowell, who holds annual auditions for anyone interested in representing Vidalia High School in the competition. “She has been a wonderful asset to our school system. She has really grown the music department and teaches the students so much.”
Vidalia High School Advanced Placement U.S. Government Teacher Jillian Davis helps to prepare students for the extemcontinued from page
poraneous speaking competition, as she uses class discussions to gauge who would be successful in the competition and determine the competitors. “We’ve had a back-to-back domestic extemporaneous speaking champion and had success in the international extemporaneous speaking competitions. Mrs. Davis has really grown that section of the competition,” Pournelle remarked.
She and the other English Language Arts teachers at the high school help to work with essay competitors to perfect their craft, as they critique practice essays in preparation for the competition.
This year, the Vidalia High School Literary Team took home first place in six categories: Duo Interpretation – Gregory Husted and Kingston Ryals, Humorous Interpretation Caiden Beasley; Dramatic Interpretation – Savannah Edwards; International Extemporaneous Speaking – Caiden Beasley; Boys Solo – Gregory Husted; and Girls Trio – Savannah Edwards, Erica Harvey, and Si-Lestte Townsel. These individuals will now move on to the state competition.
Students earned four second place honors in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking – Kingston Ryals; Literary Analysis Essay – Kalli Jo Robertson; Argumentative Essay – Arya Dudhwala; and Boys Quartet – Gregory Huston, Brady Lane, Elijah Thompkins, and Tyrese Edmonds. These competitors will serve as alternates in the state championship and will compete if the state qualifier is unable to compete.
The team’s third place honors were Girls Solo – Savannah Edwards and Personal Essay – Katy Gonzales.
Yet, though the trophies and honors may collect dust, Pournelle said the life lessons and skills gained in the literary competitions will remain throughout the remainder of competitors lives. “The discipline, practicing, and rehearsing translates into life. I definitely believe the preparation for it can be a skill that can go to any area of life, just disciplining yourself and preparing for something. And, for the pieces, three out of the four categories, you’re in front of people. I think just the confidence, the presence that you have if you’re ever in front of people, speaking or presenting in any way, that is a valuable life skill as well – the confidence to be able to think quickly on your feet. If something doesn’t go the way you planned. I believe all of those skills are transferable,” she emphasized.
When asked the secret to the team’s success, Pournelle credited her team members and assistant coaches for the wins. “I think it’s having very talented kids and being able to see the talent and help them learn how to polish it and use it and just prepare those little details. I think in all areas, we have very talented students here, and I’ve been very privileged and blessed to be able to work with them. So, I think that it’s the kid’s talent, and then, for the coaches being able to see it, know it’s there, believe in them, and work with them to pull it out and show them what’s already there and how to perfect it,” she shared.
She explained that her hopes are not only for students to succeed in the upcoming weeks by winning state championship titles, but also that the program continues to improve and grow. “I hope that we can just continue to support and focus on the arts here at Vidalia High School and academics. We always have, and that has grown more and more over the years. I’m so proud to be a part of that and thankful to be in a school system that values and supports it,” she said. “[Assistant Principal Steve] Freenor has been a huge support with literary and he understands how it works – even just the competition day is so complicated to coordinate. He’s sat down with me several times and helped me plan the competition itself.”
“[Superintendent Sandy] Reid is always so encouraging and supportive of the arts and the team when we’ve had success. I’m just thankful to be in a system that supports and encourages the kids in these areas. I look forward to seeing it grow,” she concluded.
The Vidalia High School Literary Team will compete at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Literary Championships on Saturday, March 21.
