"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Sequoyah Drama Students Qualify for State

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TAHLEQUAH, Oklahoma - Two Sequoyah Schools’ drama students, Jordan Wapaha and Kourtney Vann, both of Tahlequah, have qualified for the Oklahoma State Drama Competition. They are the first Sequoyah students ever to make it to this round of competition by winning first place in their events in the regional competition.

“I am so excited,” said Amanda Ray, Sequoyah Schools’ drama teacher. “The Sequoyah Speech and Drama students are some of the most diligent and determined I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.”

The pair will be competing together in the Humorous and Dramatic Duet divisions and Wapaha will also compete alone in the Humorous Interpretation division.

“These competitions are extremely tiring and demand a level of preparation, perseverance and maturity. Jordan and Kourtney’s talent, ability and passion for their interest in acting and performing is certainly a reflection of the long hours of rehearsal time and hard work they’ve put in. It makes my job as their drama teacher much more fulfilling and rewarding. I will miss these girls next year, but am confident that Sequoyah’s Speech and Drama Department will continue to grow and flourish.”

This is the first year for Sequoyah Schools to offer drama as a class for students. It was previously offered as an after-school activity, but was added to the course schedule in August.

“It is so awesome,” Vann said. “This is the first year Sequoyah has had a drama department and we’re going to compete at state. It’s just unbelievable.”

“It’s so exciting being Sequoyah drama representatives,” Wapaha said. “We get to go to state and we’re not a sport like everyone knows Sequoyah for. It’s been a long year but it’s been worth while.”

While Sequoyah is known for its athletic trips to state tournaments, the school is glad to finally break into another area of competition.

“This is way more than I expected for the first year,” said Gina Stanley, Sequoyah Schools’ superintendent. “They have exceeded my expectations and made me very proud. Mrs. Ray has been an excellent addition to our staff and is doing great things for our kids.”

The state competition will be held April 16-18 at the University of Oklahoma.

Sequoyah Schools, a boarding school for Native American students, originated in 1871 as an orphan asylum to care for children who were orphaned by the Civil War. Now known as Sequoyah Schools, it is named for Sequoyah, the scholar who developed the Cherokee syllabary. The school is regionally and state accredited for grades 7-12 and has become the school of choice for more than 400 Native American students every year. Sequoyah Schools is located five miles southwest of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. For more information call 918-453-5400 or visit the Sequoyah Schools’ web site.