BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Five Bulldawgs have placed among the nation’s best in theatre arts.

Thursday, Copperas Cove High School announced awards its students received at the International Thespian Festival, a national theatre arts competition held in Bloomington, Indiana.

These students earned the right to advance to ITF after placing at the statewide thespian competition.

Logan Pinkstaff won a Thespy award, the highest award in any category, for Prop Construction, where she received a perfect score at ITF.

“Nationals, for me, was a good full-circle moment for high school,” Pinkstaff said. “Being one of the first people to win Prop Construction at the national level means a lot to me in ways I couldn’t possible begin to describe. Being able to share this event with my troupe was probably one of my favorite moments in high school.”

Zoi Montoya-Morris, an incoming senior, earned a superior rating for Musical Theatre Solo at the national level.

“My time at the International Thespian Festival was full of memories and coming opportunities,” Montoya-Morris said. “I spent most of my time meeting colleges that had sent me callbacks to a prior audition video I sent. These callbacks gave me audition experience, as well as colleges to apply to in my coming senior year.”

Recent CCHS graduate Elias Alvarado earned an excellent rating in Prop Construction.

“The International Thespian Festival was fun and exciting,” Alvarado said. “The workshops and lectures were a great experience and the competition was fun and rewarding.”

Chloe Wilkins and Amelia Holloway each received an excellent rating for Musical Theatre Solo.

“Being gifted the opportunity to go compete at a national level in theatre was not only a phenomenal way to end my high school career, but to start my college years, as well,” Wilkins said. “I learned so many skills such as how to build up a new script, the ins and outs of dramaturgy and so much more. I am so grateful to my directors, our fine arts director and the other CCISD staff and students who made this trip possible and memorable.”

Holloway added, “Words cannot describe how much I love theatre, or the euphoria of being in a room with so many people like me. Competing in the thespys and earning an excellent rating only inspired me to work ever harder next year. I am so grateful for this opportunity which wouldn’t have been possible without my directors, our school board or my aunt and uncle.”

In addition to competing at ITF, these students and staff members attended workshops and master classes presented by highly-decorated members of the theatre arts industry.

“These Bulldawgs will forever have their names etched in Cove history for everything they’ve been able to achieve,” said Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “I am proud of them for the work they’ve put into their craft this year and they deserve a round of applause from all of us for their success. Seeing so many students earn recognition among the nation’s best both on and behind the stage is a testament to the quality of students we have in Copperas Cove and I look forward to seeing Troupe #549 continue their success in the future.”

The theatre arts program in Copperas Cove ISD begins at both Copperas Cove and S.C. Lee Jr. High Schools, culminating with the Dawghouse Theatre, which puts on performances of well-known stories on the stage inside beautiful Lea Ledger Auditorium.

The CCISD fine arts department oversees a variety of programs, stemming from music at district elementary campuses to junior high and high school level, where available programs range from theatre arts to dance, choir, band and visual art.

To learn more about Copperas Cove ISD and its program offerings, please visit www.CCISD.com.