Shakespeare

And the winners are...

1st Place: Mariele Fluegeman - Mother of Mercy High School

2nd Place: Annie Hobson - Anderson High School

3rd Place: Megan Marshall - Lakota West High School

Finalist: Kelsey Simmons - Cincinnati Christian Schools

Finalist: Louie Hehman

Finalist: Helen O'Neill

ESU-Cincinnati Branch Finalists Group-Picture

Back row left to right… Bob Amott - Event Co-Chair, Kelsey Simmons - Cincinnati Christian Schools, Helen O'Neill - School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Mariele Fluegeman - Mother of Mercy High School, Louie Hehman - Covington Catholic High School, Annie Hobson - Anderson High School, Megan Marshall - Lakota West High School, Janice Flanagan - Event Co-Chair. Front Row - Judges left to right. Cathy Springfield, ESU Member Rich Lauf, Bill Godshalk

Press Release:

Mother of Mercy High School Junior Mariele Flugeman wowed the judges Saturday, March 6th to win the annual Shakespeare Competition for her monologue portrayal of the Duchess from Henry VI, Part 2. The young aspiring actress competed with 13 students from high schools around the tri-state who all had to prepare a monologue and sonnet. 6 finalists were chosen by a panel of judges from area theaters and universities at the semi- finals on Saturday, February 27th held at the Playhouse in the Park. For the finals held at the Shakespeare Company this past Saturday the students also had to perform a sight reading for a different set of judges. Mariele receives a $1000 scholarship and a trip to New York City to compete at Lincoln Center in April with winners from around the country. The national grand prize is a 4 week study tour in Great Britain. The second place winner was Annie Hobson from Anderson H.S. and third place went to Megan Marshall of Lakota West H.S. Additional finalists were Helen O'Neill of the School for Creative and Performing Arts, Louie Hehman of Covington Catholic H.S. and Kelsey Simmons of Cincinnati Christian Schools. The competition now in its 24th year is sponsored by the Cincinnati chapter of the English Speaking Union founded in Great Britain in 1920 to promote good will, international scholarship and understanding among English speaking people of all nationalities around the globe. This non-political organization consists of over 70 US branches and affiliates in over 40 other countries.

Schools participating as of 2/27/2010

Anderson High School
Cincinnati Christian
Covington Catholic High School
Glen Este - WECIPA
Kettering Fairmont High School
Kings High School
Lakota West High School
McNicholas High School
Mother of Mercy High
School School for Creative/Performing Arts
Simon Kenton High School
Summit Country Day Upper School
Walnut Hills High School

2009 Winners

Click any photo to enlarge

First Place

Anna Egan - Mother of Mercy HS
Second Place

Tyler Ostrander - Lakota West HS
Third Place

Shannon Godly - Walton Verona HS
Finalists

Mark Summe - Covington Catholic HS

Helen O'Neill - School for the Creative and Performing Arts

Chloe Williamson - Walnut Hills HS