Sophomore Levi Prudhomme earned a trip to NYC by winning the 2013 English-Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition Metro Finals. Senior Cameron Sean McCoy came in second place. The competition was held on Monday, March 11, at the Lansburgh Theater in downtown Washington.

The National Shakespeare Competition is a competition for students to read, analyze, perform, and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets at three levels: the school, community, and nationals.

“When I started focusing on Shakespeare I had the initial reaction of most people, bor-ing,” Prudhomme said. “However, as you study Shakespeare you start to realize the versatility of the language and the immortality of many of the stories. There really are infinite ways to interpret Shakespeare and most literature in general. You can always delve a little deeper, and I think that is why I like literature.”

The competition gives students a chance to improve their communication and confidence skills and to understand and appreciate the power of language and literature. The three main categories assessed are understanding, communication, and expression.

Approximately 2,000 teachers and 15,000 students in nearly 60 ESU Branch communities participate each year. This equals to about 250 students in each branch. This year, there were 35 students that took part in the D.C. competition.

The winner, Prudhomme, earns a trip to Nationals in NYC. The final winner in New York receives a scholarship to study drama in London.

“Levi Prudhomme and Sean McCoy had outstanding performances,” sponsoring teacher Kim Small said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them as individuals and for the way they represented South Lakes so professionally and strongly. If anyone wants to see Shakespeare come alive, they should ask Sean or Levi to perform their pieces.”

The 30th annual ESU National Shakespeare Competition will be held on April 21-23, 2013 at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York City.