Brentwood Students Compete in Shakespeare Competition

Published February 18, 2010

More than a dozen Brentwood High School students explored the beauty and scope of William Shakespeare's language while participating in the National Shakespeare Competition. The qualifying round was held February 4 at Brentwood High School and featured 15 BHS students.

Brentwood junior Ben Haile won the event and will advance to the regional competition, which will be held March 6 at Belmont University. Performing as Puck from A Midsummer's Night Dream, Haile impressed the judges with his artistic interpretation of the character. If he wins the regional event, Haile would advance to the national competition in New York, which will be held in April.

This is the first year Brentwood High School has participated in the National Shakespeare Competition, and according to BHS English IV Advanced Placement teacher Lee Huddleston, it was a huge success.

"Having so many students enter this first year of competition, and having them all perform as serious contenders was a pleasure to watch," said Huddleston. "It is an inspiration for continuing Brentwood's participation in this Shakespeare Competition."

The National Shakespeare Competition is sponsored by the English Speaking Union, and is designed to help high school students develop their speaking skills as they explore the beauty and timeless themes in Shakespeare's works. The competition requires students to read, interpret and perform monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages.

Each of the Brentwood High students who competed in the tournament will receive letters of commendation from the English Speaking Union.