Joy as students enjoy a string of successes at Doncaster arts festival

Youngsters from the Holly Anderson Speech and Drama School in Edenthorpe took part in the annual Don Valley Festival, with students taking part in a number of arts, drama and speech categories.

Teacher Holly Wiltshire said: ”25 students took part – competing with different poems, passages of prose and acting monologues.

"As a school, we achieved ten first places, 11 second places and eight third places.”

Some of the highest achievers were:

Sophie aged 10. She won acting solo age 10-12 - and the Fred Green Trophy.

Added Holly: “Sophie was one of the youngest in a large group for acting. She performed as Sara from “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett so beautifully.

"I am really impressed with Sophie’s eager effort to learn and improve.

“How amazing is it that Sophie achieved three first places out of the four she participated in, as she also won the storytelling and prose categories.

Sophia is 6. She memorised a long passage of prose - “The Gingerbread Boy!”

“Only six years old and she won the overall trophy for up to ten years.

Added Holly: “She is so intelligent and confident.”

Madeleine is 14. She got first place in news reading 14-16 years.

Madeleine also won the overall trophy and a trip to BBC Radio Sheffield studios.

She said: “We are very proud of Madeleine, who also won the storytelling category age 12-15.”

Georgia is 8 years old. Georgia won acting solo under 10 years and the Gwen Lines Trophy.

Added Holly: “It was such a large group with tough competition but Georgia won first place with her piece from “David Copperfield.” by Charles Dickens.

"Georgia’s piece was very difficult and mature but she portrayed Emily’s emotions perfectly, creating a very realistic character.”

“As a teacher, I am proud of all of my students. They all enjoyed taking part and will return to the annual festival in 2025.”

You can find out more about the Holly Anderson Speech and Drama School at the Facebook page HERE