Piedmont Captures GISA AA 2016 State Title Back-to-Back Champions

Photo Credit: Mary Ramsdell
L/R: Sara Hammonds, Morgan Leach, Danny Ramsdell, Will Tillman, Gracie Brittain, Ivy English, Kevin Davis, Chris McClain, Anne Marie Hildebrant

After winning Georgia Independent School Association’s Region 4AA championship last week, the team traveled to Valdosta State University on March 16th and seized the GISA AA 2016 State Championship trophy!  After a grueling competition with over 20 schools competing in a variety of literary events, the following results were awarded to Piedmont Academy students.

1st Place:  Humorous Oral Interpretation, Will Tillman; Spelling, Kevin Davis; U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking, Chris McClain; International Extemporaneous Speaking, Danny Ramsdell

2nd Place:  Duo Oral Interpretation, Danny Ramsdell and Will Tillman

3rd Place:  Personal Essay, Morgan Leach

5th Place:  Argumentative Essay, Ivy English

6th Place:  Girls Trio, Gracie Brittain, Sara Hammonds, and Anne Marie Hildebrant

The school’s literary head coach is led by high school social studies teacher, Kirstie Lewis.  Ms. Lewis worked with the students in the speaking, spelling, and interpretation events; high school English teachers, Angie Marks and Leslie White, coordinated the essay writing events; music teacher, April Allen, and athletic trainer, Mary Catherine Sikes, coordinated the musical areas including boy’s solo and quartet, girl’s solo and trio, as well as piano.

Holding the title as reigning champions, the school could not be more pleased with this year’s participants who spend endless hours preparing for their region and state competitions.  Crisp Academy, located in Cordele, was awarded the association’s state runner-up.

Article contributed by Judy Nelson.