Ouachita Baptist University recently received the credential of Gold Status from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for its Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies’ participation and excellence in the organization’s Exercise Is Medicine® (EIM) program. In addition to the national recognition, the department also secured a mini-grant of $1,000 from Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue & You Foundation to support the campus program.

This is the first time Ouachita has received Gold Status from ACSM – the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world – for its Exercise is Medicine On Campus program, but it is Ouachita’s third credential. Last fall, the department was awarded Silver Status for the second time, following its first Silver Status recognition by ACSM in 2016.

The Exercise Is Medicine program is a global health initiative managed by ACSM that emphasizes the importance of including physical activity in treatment plans and referring patients to both evidence-based exercise programs and qualified professionals.

“Our culture in America is focused on sickness, not wellness,” said Dr. DeWitt, professor of kinesiology and leisure studies. “You’re sick, so you go to the doctor and do what he tells you. You take medicine and then go about your day.

“Our mindset [with the Exercise is Medicine program] is trying to change the culture,” he continued. “We are trying to get physicians to prescribe exercise. It will extend people’s lives, but also enhance the quality of their lives.”

In order to meet credential status, Ouachita’s program is implemented both on and off-campus. The Department of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies typically hosts a community outreach event in the fall during a home basketball or volleyball game to promote a healthy lifestyle, and community members have the opportunity to visit stations and learn about exercise and diet or to take a brief health assessment. Ouachita also partners with a local elementary school to offer an organized recess to second and third graders.

“We offer jump ropes, basketball, hula hoops and play Simon Says and four-square. We even have a nutrition segment to talk about the foods

eat,” DeWitt said. “They round-robin to each station for the entire recess. We’ve gotten great feedback from the teachers – and even the principal – so we’ve made an impact.”

The department built on its earlier credentials to earn Gold Status by incorporating an exercise and obesity question into the campus nurse’s health history form so that obesity could be identified as a factor prior to treatment.

Another step Ouachita has taken to promote wellness education and exercise in the Arkadelphia community is communicating with local healthcare providers, inviting them to send some of their obese patients who have having difficulties with their health to the department’s community outreach lab.

“What we are doing is incorporating real people with real problems in the real world – some on campus, some off – into our wellness program,” DeWitt said.

With the newly awarded mini-grant from the Blue & You Foundation, the Department of Kinesiology and Leisure studies plans to further promote the Exercise Is Medicine program. Promotional materials will include a brochure coordinated with Ouachita’s Office of Recreational Life about physical activities offered on campus and another brochure about Ouachita’s community outreach lab, among other things.

“I think this grant is going to take us to the next level,” DeWitt said. “So now, thanks to the Blue & You Foundation, we’re going to make some signage and increase the awareness of wellness. That magic pill? We found it. … This is what kinesiology is all about: physical well-being.”

Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Communications and Marketing won a grand prize as well as 12 other awards in the Baptist Communicators Association’s W.C. Fields Awards. The awards were given at BCA’s recent national workshop in Riverside, Calif.

Ouachita won the Diane Reasoner Award for Exceptional Achievement in Interactive Communications for its “It’s [wash-i-tah] Social Media Post,” which also won first place in the Social Media Single Post category, Interactive Communications Division. The team also won second place in the Social Media Single Post category for its “Acceptance Box Stop Motion Social Media Post.”

One grand prize is awarded for each of the seven divisions within the competition. In addition to the entry that won the Reasoner award, Ouachita’s two first place entries in the Public Relations and Development Division were second- and third-place finalists for the grand prize in that division. This is the second consecutive year for Ouachita to win a grand prize award at the BCA workshop.

“It’s very honoring for the work of our office to be recognized in this fashion,” said Tyler Rosenthal, Ouachita’s digital content coordinator, who coordinated the grand prize-winning post and accompanying video. “From conception to completion, this particular project was a fun way for us to create a piece that educates, celebrates, promotes and entertains all in one. It is exciting to see that hard work pay off through the reception and performance of this project – and now with this humbling award.”

Baptist Communicators Association is a professional development organization established in 1953 for communications professionals at primarily Southern Baptist agencies. Members represent such institutions as the North American Mission Board, GuideStone Financial Resources, state and national Baptist newspapers and magazines, state Baptist conventions and universities like Ouachita, Baylor University, California Baptist University, Union University and Samford University.

“I’m so proud of our team for these national recognitions,” said Brooke Zimny, Ouachita director of communications and marketing. “Winning awards for 12 of the 13 pieces we entered – plus a grand prize – is a testament to the outstanding staff that worked together to execute each of these pieces and to the high quality of work they do each day.”

Zimny also was elected as a national BCA officer for 2019-2020, awards chair-elect, and will serve as awards chair for 2020-2021.

Other staff members in the Office of Communications and Marketing include Ashley Carozza, graphic design coordinator; Rachel Moreno, editorial coordinator; and Tiffany Pickett, recruitment communications coordinator.

Other awards earned by the Ouachita team include:

• 1st Place for “#1 Private University in Arkansas” Billboards in the Promotion and Advertising Billboard/Banner category, Design Division.
• 1st Place for Acceptance Box in the Promotion and Advertising Specialty Item category, Design Division.
• 1st Place for Ouachita Baptist University Virtual Tour in the Internet-based Other Media category, Interactive Communications Division.
• 1st Place for Pronunciation Campaign in the Total Public Relations or Development Campaign Less than $25,000 Budget category, Public Relations and Development Division.
• 1st Place for Nursing Program Launch Campaign in the Total Public Relations or Development Campaign More than $25,000 budget, Public Relations and Development Division.
• 2nd Place for Acceptance Box Campaign in the Total Public Relations or Development Campaign More than $25,000 Budget category, Public Relations and Development Division.
• 2nd Place for “President to Parent” Email Series in the Internet-based Other Media category, Interactive Communications Division.
• 3rd Place for It’s [wash-i-tah] in the Video Promotion, Less than 2 Minutes category, Audio-Visual Communications Division.
• 3rd Place for Ouachita Alumni: Sarah Harmeyer in the Video Editorial Feature, 2-5 Minutes category, Audio-Visual Communications Division.
• 3rd Place for Nursing Launch Integrated Branding Campaign in the Print Collateral Integrated Branding category, Design Division.

For more information on BCA, visit www.baptistcommunicators.org.

Ouachita Baptist University announced that Steve Guymon has been hired as head women’s cross country coach and director of competitive club sports. He previously served as head coach for track and cross country at Harding University since 2002.

“Coach Guymon’s experience, knowledge and skills will serve our athletic program well,” said David Sharp, Ouachita director of athletics. “His coaching record speaks for itself, and his connections in the sports of cross country and track will have an immediate impact on our program. I am excited for our student-athletes and look forward to seeing our program grow.”

“I’m most excited about leaving one great program at a really good, Christian organization and going into another one,” Guymon said. “God amuses me at times how He works things out. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work at both places, and I’m looking forward to seeing what He has in store for me at Ouachita.”

At Harding, Guymon led the men’s and women’s track and cross country teams, building the program from 19 students in 2002 to 92 this year. He also served as professor of kinesiology at Harding and has served as president, first vice president and second vice president of the United States Track Coaches Association. He also is a member of the Arkansas Track Coaches Association and Arkansas Activities Association and has served as an NCAA South Region Representative and member of the NCAA Sports Connection Committee.

As track coach at Harding, he was named conference Coach of the Year 28 times and NCAA South Region Coach of the Year 12 times, and his teams won 25 conference championships, with 20 of those in cross country. His cross country and track student athletes earned 110 All-American honors. He coached 10 top-10 finishes in the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, and his track teams qualified for national meets 41 times.

“Steve Guymon understands Christian higher education, leads a top program in the region, and we know he’ll advance women’s cross country at Ouachita,” said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president. “Additionally, he’ll give important leadership to a new program in competitive club sports.”

In American higher education, 2 million students are involved in competitive club sports. Ouachita has a competitive fishing club, is preparing to launch a rowing club and is exploring other opportunities. Guymon will give overall leadership to these efforts.

“I’m ready for a new challenge, and I think Ouachita Baptist is a great place to experience that,” Guymon said. “I already appreciate the support and teamwork I’ve seen at Ouachita. I’m really looking forward to working with Dr. Sells and Coach Sharp to build something great.”

Previously, Guymon served as head track and cross country coach and teacher at Cordova High School (CHS) in Tennessee, head assistant track coach at the University of Kansas and as track and football coach and teacher at Harding Academy. At CHS, his teams earned two top-3 finishes in the state championship and two sectional championships. He was named Region 7 Coach of the Year four times and CHS Teacher of the Year three times. At Kansas, he coached one individual national champion, two U.S. record holders, one U.S. Olympic team member and 15 conference champions, 15 All Americans and 16 school record holders.

Guymon earned his Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Kansas and Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Oklahoma Christian University. He currently is pursuing a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Harding University. He and his wife, Julie, have four sons, Michael (wife, Rhen), Corey (wife, Rachel), Austin (a current Ouachita student) and B.J., and one daughter, Hallie (a current Harding student).

Students in Ouachita Baptist University’s chapter of Alpha Chi national college honor society were recognized at the organization’s recent national convention with three national recognitions, including first place for Collaborative Research Project. There are about 300 Alpha Chi chapters nationwide, with membership including juniors and seniors whose GPAs rank in the top ten percent of their school.

In addition to the Collaborative Research Project first prize, Lesley Howard, a junior studio art and psychology double major from Lavon, Texas, was named one of 10 national Alfred H. Nolle Scholars; and Carrie Hill, a senior graphic design major from Benton, Ark., won first place nationally for Outstanding Visual Arts Presentation. Wesley Oliver, a senior public history and history double major from Conway, Ark., also was named the Region II Pryor Fellow for Graduate Study, and Ouachita’s chapter officers were invited to present a Strengthening Session of best practices for the benefit of other chapters.

“I am so grateful for this group of hardworking students. They are willing to tackle extra tasks outside of their regular courses, and they do so with such joy and gusto,” said Dr. Myra Houser, assistant professor of history and Ouachita’s Alpha Chi chapter sponsor. “They conducted themselves well at the convention, and I heard many side comments from other staff and advisors about what a joy they were to watch and work with. It is such a privilege to serve as sponsor, and I look forward to beginning another chapter when we induct new members on Scholars Day.”

Each Alpha Chi chapter may submit one Collaborative Research Project for competition. The project must involve a team of two to five students representing at least two different majors. Ouachita’s team had five members representing seven majors among them. The projects must fit the annual theme proscribed by Alpha Chi, and they involve a year of research that culminates in a written paper, poster presentation and oral presentation at the national conference. This year’s theme was “Civil Discourse, Polarizing Perspectives, and Lines of Identity,” and Ouachita’s project was “Art, Age and Apartheid.”

Members of Ouachita’s winning research team included Jessica Cook-Snelgrove, a senior biology major from Camden, Ark.; Tucker Douglass, a junior philosophy and history double major from Nash, Texas; Lesley Howard; Lauren Lovelady, a senior finance major from Hot Springs, Ark.; and Wesley Oliver.

“It is truly one of those competitions where just finishing the race is a high achievement,” Houser said. “The [research] project encompasses so many skills, from working together to public speaking, writing, and primary research – often outside of a student’s major field. I am so glad that this team worked so well together, and it was lovely to learn about what other schools are researching, as well.

“On a personal note, it also meant a lot to me that the team researched South African culture and politics, which are so near and dear to me and many folks on our campus,” Houser added. “To add a win on top of that is just incredible.”

Hill won Outstanding Visual Arts Presentation for her honors thesis, “Crafting Comics: My Journey Through the Creative Process.”

“My thesis is several short comics I’ve created, along with a description of my process and how it has changed as I’ve made each comic,” Hill explained. “I’m excited to receive this award, because I worked hard for it, and it shows me that people are interested in hearing how I make comics.”

Each Alpha Chi chapter also may nominate two students for national scholarship and fellowships and regional fellowships.

As a national Alfred H. Noelle Scholar, Howard earned a $2,000 scholarship. Junior Alpha Chi members are eligible for the award.

“I honestly did not expect to win anything at all and was incredibly surprised to find that I received it when attending the awards ceremony in Cleveland,” Howard said.

Oliver was named the Region II Pryor Fellow as the outstanding senior among all chapters in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. He earned $4,000 toward future graduate study in public history as he pursues a career as an archivist.

“The best thing about Alpha Chi is the fact that it is interdisciplinary,” Oliver said. “It gives me the opportunity to meet and work with people who have different scholarly interests than me.”

The Ouachita chapter’s executive leadership team who presented a Strengthening Session includes Lovelady as president, Howard as vice president and Rebekah Biles as secretary. Biles is a senior English major from Tulsa, Okla.

Richie Blosch named winner of Ouachita’s 2018 McBeth Concerto Competition

Ouachita Baptist University junior Richie Blosch was named this year’s winner of the W. Francis and Mary McBeth Wind and Percussion Concerto Competition on Dec. 7. He performed “Concerto for Marimba – I. Despedida” by Ney Rosauro.

Blosch is a music major from Fort Worth, Texas. He received a monetary award of $500 and may be featured as a soloist with the Ouachita Wind Ensemble in the 2018 spring semester.

“It’s one of the greatest feelings to win a competition like that because it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the most talented, but it means the judges connected with you and your performance and they liked it,” said Blosch, who is a percussion student of Dr. Ryan Lewis, associate professor of music. “It made my heart feel so weightless and full of energy.”

Sierra Westberg, a senior instrumental music education major from Arkadelphia, Ark., earned second place for her alto saxophone performance, along with an award of $300. Morgan Taylor, a senior music industry major from Hot Springs, Ark., received third place and an award of $200for her saxophone performance.

Other students who competed include: Holli Barger (horn), a sophomore instrumental music education major from Carrollton, Texas; Cayli Campbell (trombone), a senior instrumental performance major from Texarkana, Texas; Danielle Schaal (horn), a senior biology major from Fayetteville, Ark.; C.J. Slatton (alto saxophone), a senior instrumental music education major from Paragould, Ark.; Ashlynne Turner (clarinet), a sophomore instrumental music education major from Burleson, Texas; and Blake Turner (trumpet), a senior instrumental music education major from Malvern, Ark.

This was the 13^th year of the annual competition, which features outstanding Ouachita instrumental students. It is sponsored by Mary McBeth in honor of her late husband, Dr. W. Francis McBeth, former Arkansas composer laureate and longtime professor of music at Ouachita.

Pianists accompanying the students throughout the performance were Kristen La Madrid, Sunday Monroe and Elsen Portugal.

Ouachita Baptist University’s Hickingbotham School of Business hosted its 10^th annual Business Plan Competition on Dec. 5. Cole Jester, a senior Christian studies/biblical studies major from Benton, Ark., placed first in the competition with his business plan for Bone Dri and received a $4,000 cash prize. Jester was advised by Bryan McKinney, dean of the Hickingbotham School of Business, associate professor of business law and university counsel.

First place winner Cole Jester, a senior Christian studies/biblical studies major from Benton, Ark.

Bone Dri is based on a product designed to dry wet hunting waders and boots. A hunter himself, Jester said he “wanted to build a business on what I knew and understood.”

“One cold morning, I realized my duck hunting waders were always wet, and it made my feet horribly cold,” Jester said. “When our first prototype, a pouch of silica gel, first dried out my wader boot, I realized we had stumbled upon an amazing product.

“This business competition win was affirming, not only to the idea, but to the kind of education Ouachita provides,” he added.

Immunovate earned second place in the competition. Immunovate, which seeks to develop a better test for screening prostate cancer, was presented by Joey Dean, a senior biology major from Hot Springs, Ark.; Joshua Lantzsch, a junior finance major from Rogers, Ark.; and Sykes Martin, a senior biology major from Sheridan, Ark. They were advised by Dr. Blake Johnson, assistant professor of biology, and received a $3,000 cash prize.

Kailee Jones, a senior biology major from Redwater, Texas, and Mallory Tabler, a senior biology major from Bentonville, Ark., received third place for their business, Quikgive; they were advised by Jeanie Curry, assistant professor of accounting. Quikgive is an online platform that helps connect donors with homeless shelters in order for donors to give exactly what the shelters need. Jones and Tabler received a $2,000 cash prize.

These three teams will advance to compete against the winners of Henderson State University’s competition during the OBU/HSU Business Plan Competition, which will take place in February 2019.

Ouachita’s Business Plan Competition is open to students from any discipline. Students are advised by faculty as they develop and practice the presentation of their business plan.

“At the heart of this competition is a student pitching an idea to a panel of judges and that student having to respond to the judges’ questions,” McKinney said. “That opportunity is tremendous for the students in the 10^th year just as it was in the first year.”

In recent years, Ouachita students also have competed and placed in the statewide Governor’s Cup Business Competition, the same competition that Ouachita’s is modeled after.

“Last year, three of the state’s 12 semi-finalist teams were Ouachita teams, and two of the six finalist teams were Ouachita teams. One of our teams finished second overall last year,” McKinney added. “We’ve done quite well in the statewide competition, which I believe points towards the progression of the Ouachita Business Plan Competition.”

Dr. Ryan Lewis, associate professor of percussion at Ouachita, recently was honored as a guest artist during the American Liszt Society Conference at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Lewis, a 1999 Furman graduate, performed two rarely performed etudes alongside Ouachita graduate and pianist Tad Hardin.

Ryan Lewis, associate professor of percussion at Ouachita.

While the American Liszt Society Conference mainly focuses on performing the works of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, this year’s conference also included a performance of a full-cycle of 12 piano etudes by 20th-century French Composer Maurice Ohana titled “Etudes d’interpretation.” The conference showcased all 12 etudes performed consecutively, which had not been done before.

Furman University’s Dr. Derek Parsons, Lewis’ former instructor, coordinated the conference and invited Lewis to perform the final two etudes, both of which required a variety of percussion instruments.

“Number 11 featured metal percussion including vibraphone, crotales, suspended cymbals, Chinese cymbals, Thai gongs, tam tams, bell tree and almglocken (tuned Alpine cowbells),” Lewis said. “Number 12 featured membranophones such as tom toms, bongos, congas and snare drum, as well as woodblocks, tambourine and temple blocks.

“I played over 30 different percussion instruments, which the university was very kind to provide along with a rehearsal space,” Lewis added.

Prior to the conference, Parsons provided rehearsal space for Lewis and Hardin, bringing back memories from Lewis’ undergraduate years.

“[Parson’s] old office, where I performed that proficiency test [in college], was the very office Tad and I rehearsed in while we were there for the conference,” he said.

Lewis (right) and Furman percussion students.

Lewis and Hardin have performed together since the early 2000s after meeting at Florida State University, where they were both pursuing their master’s degrees.

On the same weekend of the conference, Lewis also taught a master class for Furman percussion students on free improvisation and the style of Nexus Percussion Group. Nexus was the first professional percussion ensemble and an inspiration for Lewis. Aside from being a unique way to conduct and practice music, Lewis said improvisation is also a great way for students to cultivate creativity in music.

“It is special to be a part of creating musical compositions in the moment that are temporal and will never, ever be heard again,” Lewis said.

Ouachita Baptist University has begun offering an after-school, community steel band program for fourth and fifth graders from Peake Elementary School in Arkadelphia. The steel band, called Pan Harmony, meets every Monday on Ouachita’s campus from 3 to 5 p.m.

The community steel band program began at the start of the 2018 fall semester with nine Peake Elementary students and student volunteers from Goza Middle School, Arkadelphia High School and Ouachita. The program is geared toward fourth and fifth graders specifically because they are not yet old enough to play school sports or join the school band. The students will have the opportunity to show the skills they have learned this semester during Ouachita’s fall and spring steel band concerts.

“To have young students excited about music, and excited about learning music from a different culture other than our own, is very exciting,” said Dr. Ryan Lewis, director of the steel band program and associate professor of music at Ouachita.

Something unique to the program is its goal not only to teach music but also respect. At the beginning of each rehearsal, Lewis leads the students in a chant about respecting the people around them. This emphasis on respect inspired the band’s name: Pan Harmony.

The students start each Monday afternoon with their school homework and a snack before beginning their music lessons. After each practice, while they wait to be picked up, students also have free reign to play the instruments and put their new knowledge to the test.

As they have watched the elementary students learn more about steel drums, Ouachita’s student volunteers have been reminded of their own love for music and are hoping to see the program grow. Hannah Terry, a sophomore Christian studies/missions major from Texarkana, Ark., is both a Pan Harmony volunteer and a member of the Ouachita Steel Band.

“This experience has humbled me in a way nothing else in my life has,” Terry said. “I played steel pans for four years in high school and, so far, two at OBU. These kids have shown me that even though I have been playing for six years, there is still a lot I can learn.”

Other Pan Harmony student volunteers include Maggie Foreman, a senior music major from Sherwood, Ark., and Karlee Sanders, a freshman music education major from Caraway, Ark.

For more information, contact Dr. Ryan Lewis at (870) 245-5421 or lewisr@obu.edu.

Ouachita Baptist University music students earned 11 finalist honors at the 2018 Southern Region Conference and Student Auditions held at Northwestern Louisiana University in Natchitoches, La. The competition, which is organized by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), was attended by nearly 400 students from colleges and universities in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Of this total, 23 Ouachita students earned finalist or semifinalist honors.

“We competed extremely well, considering we’re in the region with SEC powerhouses like Louisiana State University, Ole Miss University, University of Arkansas and Mississippi State University as well as Southern Mississippi and Southeastern Louisiana University,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, coordinator of Ouachita’s vocal studies program and Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music. “We had 11 places in the finals, and 13 if you include the two honorable mention recipients. This year, [NATS] has added honorable mention recipients to those who qualify for nationals. To have 13 finalists is outstanding, especially for a school our size.”

Several Ouachita students earned finalist honors at the recent Southern Region NATS auditions. Joined by faculty members John Alec Briggs, far left, and Glenda and Jon Secrest, far right, some of the student competitors included, from left: Sharayah Wallace, Dean Carmona, Madeline Martin, Clay Mobley, Logan Dooley, Cameron Connor, Katie Kuss and Payton Hickman.

The competition is a three-round audition process in which students first participate in a preliminary round of auditions and receive written feedback from voice professionals in the region on how to improve their performance skillset. Following the preliminary round, students advance through a semi-final round and then a final round depending on their scores. Finalists may be awarded first through fifth place or receive an honorable mention.

Dr. Secrest said NATS auditions provide students with an opportunity to “receive written critique, prestige, affirmation of their artistic development and modest cash awards.”

“To see and hear that the fruits of their labor were recognized in this manner is very exciting and gratifying to everyone involved,” Secrest said. “For these students, it means a big shot in the arm in terms of confidence and self-awareness. Also, it provides affirmation that the hours and hours of practice and preparation are worth the investment of time.”

“Being selected as a finalist, personally, is very encouraging,” said Sharayah Wallace, a junior musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark., who placed second in the upper college music theatre women division. “It shows that what I am studying and the work I am putting toward my major is being noticed. No matter the placement, I believe the effect of these competitions motivates us to progress and be better than we were before.”

“It felt really good to become a finalist; I felt like all my hard work paid off,” said Logan Dooley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Allen, Texas. Dooley earned first place in the sophomore men division and second place in the lower college music theatre men division. “I’m glad to have made my teachers and my school proud.”

The following Ouachita students qualified for national competition, in order of hometown:

Allen, Texas – Logan Dooley, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned first place in the sophomore men division and second place in the lower college music theatre men division.

Austin, Texas – Hannah Anderson, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned an honorable mention in the lower college music theatre women division. She also was a semifinalist in the sophomore women division.

Cabot, Ark. – Elizabeth Ring, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, earned an honorable mention in lower college music theatre women. She also was a semi-finalist in the sophomore women.

North Little Rock, Ark. – Cameron Conner, a sophomore music industry student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned fourth place in lower college music theatre men.

Monument, Colo. – Katie Kuss, a freshman vocal performance student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, earned third place in the freshman women division.

Scott, Ark. – Dean Carmona, a sophomore music industry student of John Alec Briggs, earned fourth place in Hall Johnson Spiritual Category. Carmona also was a semifinalist in junior men and upper college music theatre men.

Sherwood, Ark. – Sharayah Wallace, a junior musical theatre student of John Alec Briggs, earned second place in upper college music theatre women.

Sheridan, Ark. – Madeline Martin, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned fourth place in lower college music theatre women.

Siloam Springs, Ark. – Payton Hickman, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned second place in freshman men and fifth place in lower college music theatre men.

Wylie, Texas – Clay Mobley, a junior music industry student of Dr. Jon Secrest, earned first place in junior men and first place in upper college music theatre men.

Other Ouachita students named NATS semifinalists, in order of hometown, include:

Alma, Ark. – Michaela Finley, a senior musical theatre student of John Alec Briggs, was a semifinalist in upper college music theatre women.

Bono, Ark. – Jaden Rich, a freshman musical theatre student of John Alec Briggs, was a semi-finalist in lower college music theatre women.

Bryant, Ark. –  Ryan Lynch, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in lower college music theatre men.

Caraway, Ark. – Karlee Sanders, a freshman choral music education student of John Alec Briggs, was a semi-finalist in freshman women.

Cleveland, Texas – Hannah Gothard, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in lower college music theatre women.

Evansville, Ind. – Lauren Terry, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in upper college music theatre women.

Holiday Island, Ark. – Ashlynn Lockhart, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in freshman women and lower college music theatre.

Minden, La. – Melodie DuBose, a sophomore musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in sophomore women and lower college music theatre.

Longview, Texas – Rachel Webber, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in senior women and upper college music theatre women.

Pittsburg, Texas – Lizzy Griffin, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, was a semi-finalist in senior women.

Rockwall, Texas – Micah Brooks, a senior musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in senior men and upper college music theatre men.

Waxahachie, Texas – Sam Campione, a freshman musical theatre student of Dr. Jon Secrest, was a semi-finalist in lower college music theatre men.

White Oak, Texas – Paige Bagley, a junior choral music education student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, was a semi-finalist in junior women.

Ouachita’s collaborative pianists for the competition included Kristen La Madrid, Susan Monroe and Phyllis Walker.