PRC students offered scholarships for drama

Published 7:00 am Friday, April 10, 2015

COLLEGE OFFERS: Pearl River Central High School Blue Maskers member Dane Crosby speaks to the school board about his trip to the Southeastern Theatre Conference, where he and several other members were introduced to representatives of nationwide universities. Photo by Jeremy Pittari

COLLEGE OFFERS: Pearl River Central High School Blue Maskers member Dane Crosby speaks to the school board about his trip to the Southeastern Theatre Conference, where he and several other members were introduced to representatives of nationwide universities.
Photo by Jeremy Pittari

The Pearl River County School District met Thursday to discuss construction of the new bleachers at the football stadium and also to recognized several students and teachers.

Dane Crosby and Dallen O’Briant of the Blue Maskers, Pearl River County’s drama team, talked about the team’s recent trip to the Southeastern Theatre Conference in North Carolina.

Crosby received 16 callbacks from colleges such as Troy University, Wake Forest and Memphis University among many others who saw him perform at the conference. Crosby also received five presidential scholarship offers.

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O’Briant received callbacks from the New York Film Academy as well as the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

“It’s amazing that we have this talent right in Pearl River County” said Board President Jeremy Weir.

Missy Holsen, of Pearl River Central Middle School, recognized the school’s science club for placing fourth in the state at regionals. The team also won the 2014-2015 Spirit Award for good sportsmanship. This award is only presented to one school in the state.

The Junior Blue Angels dance team placed fourth this season and was invited to nationals in Orlando, Florida. The middle school show choir placed first at every competition they were in this year, except for one where they placed second, said Holsen.

Karen Boutwell, eighth grade science teacher at Pearl River Central, was recognized at the meeting for receiving the Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Grant, which is a $200,000 grant that is awarded to up to 10 teachers in the state. Nilene Quave was also recognized last night as Administrator of the Year for the school district.

Construction for the new bleachers for the high school football stadium was discussed during Thursday’s meeting. The board voted to accept the bid and award it to C. Perry Builders. The board was presented with three options to pay for the work, which will be decided at the next meeting. The target completion date for this project is August 20.