Pendleton Heights High School Pendleton Players conducted its annual Thespy Awards recently, celebrating a return to the auditorium and a celebration of the year in theater.
While this was not a typical year in the performing arts for anyone, the theater program did manage to present two productions, which were streamed for audiences on demand.
It allowed students the opportunity to use their acting and performing skills, as well as the technical theater students to build, paint, light the stage and use the sound board and more.
This was the 24th annual celebration of students who produce and participate in theater.

The evening always begins with the induction of 14 new members to the International Thespian Honor Society of Theatre. They included: Ella Barret, Parker Brown, Kaitlyn Brunswick, Casey Davidson, Chloe Erdos, Ella Jones, Madison Mahoney, Alana Manges, Dawson Perrel, Emilee Powless, Maddie Roots, Emma Scott, Riley Simons and Ella Talbot.
The group also announced the officers for the upcoming school year: Corydon Roots, president; Camille Spencer, vice president; Lily Schaefer, secretary; and Bryce Axel-Adams, treasurer.
The group also recognized the following seniors for scholarship.
Presidential Scholars with a 4.0 or better: Macie Collett, Anna DeFouw, Evelyn Garard, Joel Gaar, Katie Martin, Cannon McClain, Harrison Stull and Kaitlyn Wheetley.
Vice Presidential Scholars with a 3.5 or better: Lilli Burkhardt, Sydney Case, Taylor Eads, Dylan Ellyson, Bria Grobey, Leah Manges and Jillian Sabotnik.
Scholar Awards for those with a 3.0 or better: Jarret Brooks, Chloe Clark, Emma Weflen and Lizbeth Vazquez.
It takes 10 points (the equivalent of 10 hours) to become a member of the Thespian Society. When a student reaches 60 points, they have achieved Honor Thespian status. Joining previous Honor Thespians Leah Manges and Evelyn Garard were Lilli Burkhardt, Joel Gaar, Katie Martin and Harrison Stull. Achieving National Honor Thespian status of 120 points, and joining current National Honor Thespian Leah Manges, was Evelyn Garard.
Theatre Excellence Awards went to: freshmen — Parker Brown, Dawson Perrel, Maddie Roots, Connor Sallee and Neleh Thompson; sophomores — Tanner Huffman, Alana Manges, Emilee Powless, Diana Talbot and Ella Talbot; juniors — Bryce Axel-Adams, Ella Barrett, Kylie Day, Corydon Roots, Lily Schaefer and Camille Spencer; and seniors — Lilli Burkhardt, Chloe Clark, Anna DeFouw, Evelyn Garard, Joel Gaar, Bria Grobey, Leah Manges, Katie Martin, Cannon McClain, Jillian Sabotnik, Vincent Spear and Harrison Stull.
Seniors Lilli Burkhardt, Joel Gaar, Evelyn Garard, Leah Manges, Katie Martin, and Vincent Spear were also honored as four-year participants in the theatre program.
Special Awards of the evening went to the following: Director’s Award for Excellence to Leah Manges; Shooting Star Award to Bria Grobey; Phoenix Award to Vincent Spear and Chloe Clark; and Bravo Awards for Outstanding Performance (Body of Work) went to Lilli Burkhardt, Harrison Stull, and Katie Martin.
Based on the votes of their peers, the following students were recognized for their acting: Best Actor, Harrison Stull; Best Actress, Lilli Burkhardt; Best Supporting Actor, Cannon McClain; and Best Supporting Actress, Lily Schaefer.
The thespian group always presents special awards in memory of students who were a big part of the Pendleton Players during their time at the high school but sadly died much too young. These special awards went to: Jillian Sabotnik, Scott Studebaker Memorial Award; Joel Gaar, Corey Wise Memorial Award; Lilli Burkhardt, Rachel Lakes Memorial Award; and Evelyn Garard, Keelia Main Memorial Award. Their names will be affixed to plaques that hang in the theater lobby.
One of the long-time parent volunteers with the theater program was the late Brenda Ketring. She spent hours helping with costumes, concessions and anything that needed to be done. She was a visible volunteer who was always at the theater helping and was one of the original founding members of Supportive People of Theatre Students (SPOTS).
When she died of cancer a few years ago, her family asked that donations be given to the theater program. The response was so overwhelming, it was decided to use the money to encourage and honor students in the program.
Each year, people continue to add to that fund in her memory, which speaks so highly to the impact she had on so many.
Joel Gaar and Evelyn Garard were named this year’s recipients of the Brenda Ketring Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is given each year to two seniors and is based on essays they have written on what the theater program has meant to them. Brenda’s family makes the final selection from the essays.
The final award of the evening goes to the Thespian of the Year. This is given to the student who has consistently been involved in all facets of the theater program as well as the many auditorium productions that the theater program runs.
While it suggests this honors the work of the current year, it typically is presented to the student who has been actively involved for their four years of high school at the highest of levels. This year’s recipient was Leah Manges.
All in all, it was wonderful to have people back in the auditorium with the hopes of returning to a normal production schedule next school year.
Watch the Pendleton Players website at www.pendletonplayers.com for the latest on events and performances as well as opportunities to participate.
Pendleton Players is open to any high school student enrolled at Pendleton Heights; they do not have to be taking a theater class to participate.
Can’t wait to entertain you all next year.
Jacque Brown is artistic and technical director of Pendleton Players.