Westwood Literary Team
Westwood is very proud of our Literary accomplishments. The team has won 6 team State Championships, and 15 Region 2A and 2AA Championships. Many students have earned individual state titles.
The Westwood Literary Team is open to students in grades 8 – 12. The team has tryouts in early January and competes each spring in the Region and State Literary Competitions.
Literary Events are comprised of musical, performance, and academic disciplines. These events include: Trio, Quartet, Solo, Piano, Interpretations – Dramatic, Humorous and Duo, Extemporaneous Speaking – Domestic and International, Spelling, Writing – Rhetorical, Argumentative and Personal Essay.
The Literary Team is coached by faculty member, Mrs. Azalee Vereen. Musical instruction is provided by Ms. Susan Akridge.
Literary Awards
2005
State Champions
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Dustin Thompson – Argumentative Essay
Laura Warren – Extemporaneous Speaking
Jamey Shirah, Brandon Sampson, Ross Atkinson, James Ealum – Quartet
2008
State Champions
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Kyli Lamar – Argumentative Essay
Casey Cox – Spelling
Tyler Thompson – Humorous Interpretation
Andrew Stargel – International Extemporaneous Speaking
2011
State Champions
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Kathryn Collins – Spelling and Rhetorical Essay
Tyler Sharp, Trent Hester, Daniel Hays, Hayes Grogan – Quartet
2014
Region 2AA Champions
State Runner Up
Individual State Champions:
Sydney Lamberth & Matthew Tucker – Duo Interpretations
Tristan Swan – Humorous Interpretation
2017
Region 2AA Champions
AA State Runner-Up
Individual State Champions:
Sydney Lamberth – Dramatic Interpretation
Zach Howell – Personal Essay
Brock Allen, Gambill Dallas, John Davis, Patrick Vereen – Quartet
2020
State Competition Canceled
Region 2AA Champions
2023
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Hannah Glass – Rhetorical Essay
2006
1st Runner Up State
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Paige Reiber – Argumentative Essay
Dustin Thompson – Argumentative Essay
Laura Warren – Extemporaneous Speaking
2009
State Champions
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Andrew Stargel – Argumentative Essay
Gillian Ford, Sarah Ann Willingham, Sarah Holton – Trio
2012
State Champions
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Virginia Vereen – Humorous Interpretation and Duo Interpretation
Miller Singleton – Rhetorical Essay and Duo Interpretation
Ashley Miller, Erin Burnett, Riley Ford – Trio
Trent Hester, James Davis, Hayes Grogan, Daniel Hays – Quartet
2015
Region 2AAA 2nd Runner Up
Individual Region Champions:
Dru Ford – International Extemporaneous Speaking
Mark Glass – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
Individual State Champions:
Sydney Lamberth – Dramatic Interpretation
2018
AA State Champions
Region 2AA Champions
Individual State Champions:
Fletcher Sheffield – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
Zach Howell – Personal Essay
Gambill Dallas – Humorous Interpretation
2021
AA State 2nd Runner Up
Individual State Champions:
Peyton Worsham – Rhetorical Essay
Fletcher Sheffield – International Extemporaneous Speaking and Argumentative Essay
2024
A State Runner Up
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Erin Sharp & Abby Lanier – Duo Interpretation
Mia Burnett – Dramatic Interpretation
Lilly Lanier – Treble Solo, Impromptu Speaking
Hunter Spence – International Extemporaneous Speaking
2007
1st Runner Up State
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Andrew Stargel – International Extemporaneous Speaking
2010
State Champions
Region 2A Champions
Individual State Champions:
Sarah Holton – Rhetorical Essay
2013
State – 2nd Runner Up
Region 2AA Champions
Individual State Champions:
Erin Burnett – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking and Rhetorical Essay
Tristan Swan – Humorous Interpretation
2016
Region 2AAA 2nd Runner Up
Individual Region Champions:
Dru Ford – International Extemporaneous Speaking
Mark Glass – Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking
2019
AA State Runner Up
Region 2AA Champions
Individual State Champions:
Gambill Dallas – Duo Interpretation
Erin Smith – Duo Interpretation
2022
Region 2AA Champions