The Board of Directors and administrative staff of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation congratulate the winners of the 2022 County Finals of the 118th Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation. On Sunday, April 24, 2022, students who had previously won first place at the various local level competitions held at each of the five Orange County public high schools competed in the categories of Declamation and Interpretive Reading at the County Finals held at the Lutcher Theater.

Vidor High School's Ashley Callahan won 1st place in Declamation, and Triston Tinkle of Vidor High School won 1st place in Interpretive Reading. Both students received a $5,000 scholarship for their 1st place awards. For her Declamation, Callahan presented Close Your Eyes and Listen to the Silent Screams by Elie Wiesel. Tinkle's reading was "Beethoven" by Shane Koyczan. 

Second place in Declamation went to Sadie Prouse of Orangefield High School for her delivery of the Shuttle "Challenger" Disaster Address by Ronald Reagan. Orangefield High School's Shelby Eason took 2nd place in Interpretive Reading with her reading of "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst. Each second-place winner received a $2,500 scholarship. Both first and second-place winners were also presented with plaques.

Clyde V. McKee III, Stark Foundation President and CEO, presented all County Final contestants with commemorative watches, which is a long-held tradition of the Stark Reading Contest.

More than 115 students participated in the school levels of this year's Stark Reading Contest, which is sponsored by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation. "I want to congratulate the county winners, all local level winners, and all finalists for their outstanding accomplishments, as this year was a truly fantastic contest" said Stark Reading Contest Coordinator, Hannah Danielson. "All participants, from the school preliminaries to the County Final, should be applauded for their hard work and effort. The time and work of the local school directors help make this contest possible. The support of Mason Franco (West Orange-Stark H.S.), Ron Chevalier (Orangefield H.S.), Melanie Claybar (Little Cypress-Mauriceville H.S.), Adam Conrad (Vidor H.S.) and Hannah Landry (Bridge City H.S.) is critical in making this program a success."

2022 Stark Reading Contest County Finals Winners.

From L-R:

Shelby Eason - 2nd Place in Interpretive Reading 

Triston Tinkle - 1st Place in Interpretive Reading 

Ashley Callahan - 1st Place in Declamation 

Sadie Prouse - 2nd Place in Declamation 

Each first-place winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship award for their County Finals win; second-place winners each receive a $2,500 scholarship award.

The Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation is sponsored by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation as part of its continuing mission to enrich the community and encourage education. The aim of the Stark Reading Contest is to enhance the literary and forensic quality and skills of the students. The Contest has continued annually since its inception in 1904 and offers educational opportunities and experiences for students at Orange County public high schools.



About the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation

The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is a private operating foundation established in 1961 to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas. The Stark Foundation seeks to continue the legacy of its founders through the programs of the Stark Museum of Art; The W.H. Stark House; Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center; the Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts; and the Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation. These venues provide the community and region with rich resources and opportunities for study and enjoyment of the arts, history and nature.