Mia Ritter-Whittle and Darian Glover received the Honor Thespian and Best Thespian awards, respectively, at the annual awards banquet of the Joseph High School Thespian Society troupe.

More than 50 thespians, family members and friends attended the event May 10 in the JHS multipurpose room.

Other award winners were: Felicity Gross and Max Greenway, Middle School Rising Stars; Ann Williamson and Casey Hayes, Outstanding Freshmen acting awards; Kayla Schoen and DaLynn Roberts, Rising Stars; and Sofia Jerneld and Kayla Schoen, Directors Awards.

The Academic Achievement in Theater Arts medal was awarded to Darian Glover as the student who best demonstrated the aims and ideals of the International Thespian Society.

Angie Lunde was on hand to present Michael Thomas with the Bryn Lunde award for Best Theater Technician.

Stacy Green received the troupe’s Community Service award for her work in bringing the Young Americans performing group to Wallowa County in both 2005 and 2009. Approximately 220 Wallowa County students in all participated in the two three-day workshops and production, learning dance, vocal techniques, Broadway songs and performance attitudes.

Troupe president Ali Garrett (President), vice president Marc Duncan (Vice-President) and treasurer Darian Glover conducted an initiation ceremony for new members Ann Williamson, Casey Hayes, Jonae Schoen, Megan Kozowski, DaLynn Roberts, and Sofia Jerneld.

Each of the initiates were required to entertain the gathering for a few minutes before being accepted as a full-fledged thespian member.

After a potluck dinner, troupe director Pam Latta awarded the three graduating seniors – Anna Bird, Kayla Schoen and Sofia Jerneld – graduation honor cords.

Each participant in JHS’s theater program received a certificate of achievement for their individual accomplishments during the school year, including Tiffeni Weaver who performed in the fall show, “Go Ask Alice.”

The JHS troupe was chartered in January 1991 and enters its 20th year in 2011.