It was narrowed down to 31 Ellis County 5th graders who competed last Friday for top honors in the annual Famous Figures contest under the direction of the Hays Arts Council.
This is the 17th year for the popular event. It’s a cross-curriculum program utilizing creative thinking, research skills, writing and public speaking skills as the students work to present themselves in character and costume as a famous person in history.
Portrayals ranged from Sir Isaac Newton, who proved the theory of gravity, to modern-day country singer Taylor Swift.
The judges, United Way of Ellis County Executive Director Jason Rauch, who has years of theater experience himself , FHSU Theater Professor Bruce Bardwell and Kansas historian Mary Ann Thompson of the Hays Public Library, watched nearly three hours of performances and asked each presenter questions about their persona. Finally they selected the winner, O’Loughlin’s Kallie Leiker as young adult author Judy Blume.
The top five finishers performed Monday for the Hays Rotary Club, which helps fund Famous Figures.