Theater students from Coeur d'Alene High School and Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy can be so dramatic — and that's the key to their success.

The Coeur d'Alene High School Theater Department kept its domination intact, taking home its ninth consecutive 5A state title for drama at the Idaho High School Activities Association Championships, held virtually Dec. 19.

Junior Kaia Poorboy, who earned first- and third-place medals in her events, said she was "super ecstatic" when she received the news.

"I've never placed that high ever in competitive drama," she said Friday. "I worked really hard on my pieces and it paid off in the end."

Because of the COVID pandemic, students have been rehearsing with masks on. Competition videos were recorded and submitted for judges to review. Despite the challenges, the students were still able to impress the judges with their performance abilities.

"It’s a really amazing thing to know that we are nine-time state champions," Kaia said. "But it also does come with a lot of humble feelings. We put so much work into it, and we worked so hard to have that title at a state level. We never try to let it get to us. Each year is a new time to work even harder and achieve even bigger goals."

This is the ninth time in CHS theater teacher Jared Helm's 13 years with the school that his students shined in the competition.

"Each year I become more and more grateful for the art that my students are willing to share," he said. "It was really awesome to watch them all and see their growth and their ability to take on a challenging thing during a pandemic."

He said his students really dive into their characters, show empathy and "allow themselves to tell these stories in the most powerful way, which is ultimately the most truthful."

He said although he is incredibly proud of the team, "we really are a product of all the students and people who have come before us.

"A huge shoutout to all the students who participated this year and in previous years, both at our school and other schools," Helm said. "They really build the program."

Coeur d'Alene Charter's theater program is also beaming with pride as its students brought home the 3A championship title for the second year in a row.

"It was a really awesome feeling knowing that we did it and that we were able to prove that the Charter theater community was capable of doing it again," instructor Dana Fleming said. "It's super exciting to know our school is on a path for success and hopefully we can continue the streak."

Fleming said the kids really enjoyed having something to work toward and having something to showcase for the judges.

"They always put forth their best effort," Fleming said. "They're always prepared, they always act like professionals."