Utah Academy for Troubled Youth Takes 1A State Drama Championship

Online, June 24, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Diamond Ranch Academy (DRA) continues to make a name for itself at the Utah State 1A Drama Competition. Two DRA students recently placed at the annual State competition held in Price, Utah. Chris S. placed 2nd overall in the Humorous Monologue category and fellow student Chris P. placed 3rd overall.

"Going into the final medal round, three of the six competitors were from Diamond Ranch Academy", said Drew Durrant, Performing Arts Director. "We were in a position to sweep the entire category, and that is unheard of."

To perform in the final medal round, the student performers presented their pieces in three rounds to three different judges. After those rounds were complete, scores were tabulated and the group of 35+ pieces were narrowed down to the best six performances.

This is not Diamond Ranch Academy's first time in the spotlight at the State competition. Last year, three DRA students placed 1st overall at State with a contemporary scene from the play, "The Boys Next Door". This marked Diamond Ranch Academy's first State title.

"We have some incredibly talented young performers attending Diamond Ranch", continues Durrant, "And most of these students have never performed before enrolling at DRA. It is rewarding to watch their confidence grow in a talent they never had explored before."

In addition to the impressive individual accomplishments at Region and State levels, the students also compete as a school against others in their division. As a school, Diamond Ranch Academy placed 3rd at the Region Competition held in Escalante, better than any previous year.