STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Excellent actors Cast and crew members of Port Aransas High School's one-act play, "Her Senior Year," ham it up for a recent group portrait. Standing, from left: Andrew Russell, Greg Anderson, Brittney Wedel, David Thrasher, Jordan Butterfield, Asia Cossey, Alyssa Crawford and Ashley Hendricks; seated, from left: director/instructor Gary Mott, Chloe Tugwell, Rumer Smith, Reba Armanovs, Jessica Etheridge and Sarah Armanovs. Not pictured: Katie Fries. Performances in Port Aransas High School's one-act play were so strong in a zone contest last week that the play advanced to the district level of competition. It's the first time that has happened in recent years.

Performing "Her Senior Year," the PAHS group was one of two teams that advanced from University Scholastic League northern zone competition held on Wednesday, March 19, at Refugio High School. The other team that advanced was from Woodsboro High School. Four teams competed at the northern zone level.

PAHS did not advance past the district competition, which was held on Monday, March 24, at Bishop High School. Bruni High School and Kingsville Academy teams were picked to move on from district to regional competition April 5 at Three Rivers.

Play director Gary Mott, who is in his third year of teaching theater at PAHS, said school officials told him it was the first time in about 10 years that a PAHS play has advanced beyond zone competition.

Mott said he is proud of his students.

"I liked their work ethic" in rehearsals, Mott said. "When it came time to perform, everyone was there."

Five PAHS students took home special honors from the zone competition.

David Thrasher, a junior, won best actor. Alyssa Crawford, a senior, nabbed the best actress award. Juniors Greg Anderson and Chloe Tugwell made all-star cast. Asia Cossey, a junior, won honorable mention, all-star cast.

"Her Senior Year" is a play about a teen-age girl suffering from cancer and how she and her friends cope with it.