“The Lost Boy” found its way on a path to area finals last week when Quitman’s One Act Play presentation earned second place at bidistrict competition on March 29 at Northeast Texas Community College.

The play, “The Lost Boy” was written by Ronald Gabriel Paolillo and is a fictionalized version of the Peter Pan origin story. 

Quitman’s Jordan Watts earned a spot on the All-Star Cast for his portrayal of Barrie. Senior Ben Barnett was also named All-Star Cast, and Wesley Irwin was named honorable mention. The “Tech Award” went to McKenna Wood, and the “Best Tech Crew” award went to Quitman’s tech team that consists of Wood, Nick Williams, Braleigh Wood, Faith Council and Maycie Miller. 

Quitman’s One Act Play group is led by Director Hunter Ballard. Ballard is excited about his students’ accomplishments so far this year. Ballard said that at the outset of the season he challenged the students with a simple question “What are your aspirations this year, and how do we reach them?”

Ballard was inspired by the students’ responses that “each student contributed thoughtful ideas, and throughout the season, they’ve demonstrated unwavering commitment to those ideals.”

Ballard is particularly proud of this show stating, “Crafting this show has been a joyous endeavor, fueled by the relentless dedication of our students who have poured their hearts into creating a product they deeply cherish. It’s a testament to their passion and hard work, and I’m immensely proud of their achievements. As we strive for continual growth and success, I remain hopeful for the journey ahead.”

Quitman will compete at area finals competition at Longview High School on Friday, April 12.