SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : St. Margaret’s Wins 11 Drama Awards

A private school’s debut performance in a Southland drama competition won rave reviews as judges handed out 11 awards to students from St. Margaret’s Episcopal School--the most by an Orange County school.

In an awards ceremony at Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton last week, three St. Margaret’s students won outstanding achievement awards in the annual Macy contest, which recognizes the best school musical productions.

During the school year, judges attend plays at public and private schools throughout Southern California. St. Margaret’s was evaluated for its production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

“St. Margaret’s students showed remarkable talent and truly earned their Macy Awards,” said Lee Childress, who founded the competition with her husband in 1971. “It is so refreshing to see the wonderful talent that is being cultivated in our local high schools.”

Adam Blumberg, Kimberly Helms and Chase McLaughlin were given Outstanding Achievement awards for their performances. Other winners included Charles Chaney, Ashlea Scott, Jerome Shirar, Joanna Fee, Caroline Metherell, Dominic Ondryas, Esther Rodriguez and Blaire Notrica.

“It is quite rewarding to have our students recognized for not only their talent, but their hard work and dedication to the dramatic arts,” said Bob Conrad, a drama teacher at St. Margaret’s. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with such a talented group of young actors and actresses.”