Literary Quartet places 1st in state
CJ Sailem (junior), Damaricus Green (freshman), Jacob Mann (senior), Jaden Giles (senior)
On Saturday, April 22, the ACHS Literary Team Region winners advanced to the State competition held at the Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia, to compete against the region winners from all GHSA high schools across the state. Advancing to state were the Boys Soloist, Jaden Giles (senior); Girls Soloist, Natalie Todd (sophomore); Girls Trio: Camile Floyd (sophomore), Dallas Johnson (sophomore), and Stacie Grandstaff (sophomore); Boys Quartet: Jaden Giles(senior), Jacob Mann (senior), CJ Sailem (junior) and Damaricus Green (freshman); and Literary Analysis Essay Winner, Parker Johnson (junior).
The first award of the day went to Parker Johnson for his literary analysis essay, as he received fourth place in state. This was followed by the girls soloist, Natalie Todd, placing sixth in state. The boys soloist, Jaden Giles, received fifth in state. This was followed by the girls trio walking away the fourth in state awards. Lastly, the boys quartet waited patiently for their category to be presented. Excitement filled the air as the announcer called out the state champions for boys quartet—Appling County High School! The ACHS Quartet are our state champions, earning a score of 99 from one judge and 98 from the other, with both ranking them first in the state! It was an exciting day for our literary team with four very proud young men beaming for the state winner pictures.
“In all my years of teaching, this was the hardest competition we have ever faced at state. Every category had very strong competitors. I was pleased with every one of our students that competed,” stated Karen Davis, ACHS choral instructor and show choir director.
“I am so proud of all our competitors and the hard work Mrs. Davis and each of these students pours into our literary meet events,” said Katie McLeod, literary coordinator for ACHS. “I am so excited about the growth our younger competitors will demonstrate over the next few years in these events!”
