BUTTE — Polson’s Drama Team came in second place out of 22 schools, while Ronan’s Danny Beavers was the state champion in Pantomime at the State Class-A Speech, Debate and Drama Tournament in Butte on Jan. 30-31.

Corvallis took first place with 104 points, followed by Polson with 88 points. Bigfork rounded out the top three with 52 points in the state meet.

The Polson Classical Duo Acting team of Rebecca Grant and Misty Futrell were state champions in their event. The two perform a ladies’ tea party scene from Oscar Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

“These two have been solid all season and just kept getting better and better,” Drama coach Judie Woodhouse said.

“They have also demonstrated strong leadership on the team and deserve the honors they have earned.” 

State winners through eighth place in their events earned medals at the tournament.

“It was a battle all season long between Corvallis and Polson for top Drama honors at the various invitational meets,” Woodhouse added.

They out did us in the end and were able to fill all the drama spots with top competitors where we still had a few openings.”

A dozen Ronan students competed at state, with eight advancing to the semifinal round and Pantomime performers Beavers and Austin Butler (sixth place) medaling for the team.

Polson Medalists

• Rebecca Grant and Misty Futrell — First place for Classical Duo Acting team

• Molly Ricketts — Second place for Serious Solo Action

• Colin Burress — Second place for Pantomime

• Nation Garza and Robby Ricketts — Third place for Classical Duo Acting team

• Logan Garcia and Scott Taylor — Fourth place for Serious Duo Acting team

• Josh Ransom — Fourth place for Pantomime

• Karissa Koberg — Fifth place for Extemporaneous Speaking

• Katelyn Mergenthaler and Delaney Kohler — Seventh place for Classical Duo Acting team

• Sierra Kohler and Beth James — Seventh place for Serious Duo Acting

• Larissa Hanson — Seventh place for Expository speaking 

• Kelsey Koberg and Josie Benedetti — Eighth place for the Policy Debate Team

Ronan Medalists

• Danny Beavers — First place for Pantomime

• Austin Butler — Sixth place for Pantomime