RAHS Class of 2017 graduates Sam Hamerski and Maia Peterson, coached by Bret Hemmerlin, competed in Duo Interpretation and earned third place after 13 rounds and four days of competition. They performed their final round at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center to a crowd of more than 4,000 people. The NSDA Nationals was their second national finalist finish this year, the first being the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions in May where they earned fourth place.
Sophomore Vakare Bartkaitis, coached by Jessica Fedje, advanced to the quarterfinals (top 30, eight rounds) in Humorous Interpretation, her qualifying event. After not advancing to the semifinals, she competed in Storytelling, a consolation event, and performed an additional six rounds before earning fourth place out of more than 300 contestants. She, like Sam and Maia, is a national finalist.
Sophomore Jason Sobieck, coached by Hemmerlin, advanced to the octofinals (top 60, six rounds) in Dramatic Interpretation, his qualifying event. Dramatic Interpretation had nearly 300 entries in it this year.