JWHS Group Interpretation Attends State Competition

Student members of the Joliet West High School Group Interpretation placed 3rd in Sectionals and made it to the IHSA State Competition in Springfield on March 24-26. The group performed “Charlotte’s Web.”

Group Interpretation (GI) is a production that tells a story without the aid of props, costumes, or scenery. Shows must be less than 30 minutes in length and include mainly off-stage focus. There are 17 cast members in Joliet West GI directed by Drama instructor Kristin Blake.

Students that qualified for state included: Julia Valera, Michael Vanerka, Grace Meagher, Corinn Posteluk, Jessica Newby, Melina Medina, Billy Mills, Eric Schuler, Tony Nardi, Casey Snow, Hope Taques, Morgan Beene, Anna Polacek, Zoe Manning, Kendall Schlegel, Brittany Dunn, and Haylee Powers.

Blake said, “At State, we ended up advancing to the Final Round (for the first time in recent history), and earned 7th place overall in Illinois. We were so incredibly excited!"

In addition to the group's success, four individual Joliet West students were recognized as All-State Cast medalists - Mikey Vanera, Julia Valera, Grace Meagher, and Tony Nardi.

It was certainly a TERRIFIC year for Joliet West GI.