Cross' Upper School and Middle School 2025 Lit Meet competitors.
It was a chilly morning in February when sleepy-eyed students, advisors, and chaperones of the SCISA Literary Meet gathered on campus for an early departure. After a two-and-a-half hour drive to the host school, Laurence Christian School in Florence, SC, the Cross representatives were ready for the challenge.
Cross competitors included US students Jackson Melton, Lily Brashear, Paxton Jones, Christian Campuzano, Juliette Thrower, and MS students Griffin Campuzano, Maddie Halfman, Hailey Osher, Kelly Mcguire, Jacob Reeves, and Asher Holmes. This year’s competition attracted a group of 16 schools, showcasing the talent in the region.
The Middle School competitors shone brightly, bringing home an impressive array of awards. Maddie Halfman earned first place in the Essay Writing division, while Jacob Reeves and Hailey Osher secured second places in the Oral Interpretation boys and girls divisions. Kelly Mcguire also clinched second place in the Extemporaneous Speaking division, demonstrating her skill under pressure.
Upper School competitors, Jackson Melton chose an excerpt from Hamlet for his oral interpretation, while Lily Brashear focused on a passage from Cinderella. Paxton Jones tackled Extemporaneous Speaking, delivering a speech on climate refugees, while Christian Campuzano and Juliette Thrower represented the team in the Essay Writing division.
Student’s ability to adapt in the face of uncertainty demonstrates their perseverance and commitment to obligations. Moving forward, advisors plan on incorporating more drama into oral interpretation presentations in order to be more competitive. Next year, Juliette Thrower will try to “focus less on [her] nerves and more on staying calm under pressure.”