The W-WCHS girls trio, (front row, l-r) Katie Duggan, Hailey James, and Elizabeth Duggan, placed third at the State Literary Meet last weekend. Others who placed at the Region 7-A meet were (back) James Cade, Troy Colvard, April Shelton, and Molly Newsome. The Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School girls trio consisting of Katie Duggan, Elizabeth Duggan, and Hailey James, took third place in Class A at the State Literary Meet held last weekend in Warner Robbins.

A total of five Washington-Wilkes students qualified to compete in the State Literary Meet after receiving first places in the Region Literary Meet on March 11.

At that level, April Shelton received first place in girls solo; Molly Newsome, first place in girls essay; and the girls trio also won first place.

These five students participated in the state meet March 17.

The region meet was held at Lincoln County High School with students competing in events closely related to English and Language Arts, such as essay writing, spelling, speaking, dramatic interpretation, and singing.

Student placings in this event besides the first place winners were Troy Colvard, second in boys essay; James Cade, third in extemporaneous speaking; and Elizabeth Duggan, fourth in spelling.

"Many of these students were participating in the event for the first time," says Anna Nero, sponsor of the literary competition. "We did very well this year and hope to do even better next year as Washington Wilkes moves up to the 'AA' Division."