Monticello High Drama wins state title

The Monticello high school theater team won the 2026 1A state drama competition on March 28.
The Buckaroos won a host of awards to compile enough points to also walk away with the team championship at the state meet.
Coach Paige Freestone recognized it was a long climb to the top of the mountain.
“This has been a dream of mine for so many years. We have come so close in the past. It was the most incredible feeling to see such amazing results from all the hard work we all have put in.”
Competing against other 1A schools in the state Monticello High won the award for the best one act play as well as the best ensemble cast in the one act play competition performing “Murder at the Pie Auction.”
In addition to the one act play, Monticello thespians also competed in various individual and doubles events with a host of hardware coming home.
Earning state titles in the classical scene category were Maron Freestone and Carter Francom. Also earning top honors were Josi Bowles and Annaleigh Nebeker in the contemporary scene competition.
In the musical theater competition Freestone was first with Francom finishing second and Noah Dilts was fourth.
Also in the contemporary scene competition McKay Nielson and Kendra Clutter finished second.
Nielson also finished third place in the pantomime category with Dani Black and Lay Petersen fourth and Hyrum Vess and Dalton Adams fifth in pantomime.
Adams finished third in dramatic monologue, and Mikaylah Gillette and Elaina Dunn were fourth in classical scene.
Members of the one act play included Maron Freestone, McKay Nielson, Elise Taylor, Kendra Clutter, Elaina Dunn, Annaleigh Nebeker, Carter Francom, Dani Black, Hyrum Vess, Jamie Vess, Josi Bowles, Mikaylah Gillette, with Noah Dilts providing tech support for the play.
Coach Paige Freestone also noted community support with special thanks to Lynda Boyle, Stenson Freestone and Principal KC Olson.