Theatre students won seven awards this weekend in Folsom at the annual Lenaea Theater Festival, the most of any school attending.

Mrs. Julie Hilliker took 28 theatre students to to compete in the festival, which included 62 other area schools.

Kayla Duffey performed a duo scene from “Little Women” with Brenna Gittins. They won a Respondent’s Choice Award.

“[The award is given to] who works best for the judges and improves their performance,” Duffey said.

Casey Borghesi won a Gold Award and a Respondent’s Choice Award for her musical solo. Her solo earned her a command performance, which means she performed her musical solo during the closing ceremony.

“My performance was for musical theater. It was ‘Still Hurting’ from the musical ‘The Last Five Years.’ I really liked telling the story of Kathy, my character, and seeing just how much she was affected,” Borghesi said.

Jonah Petty, Nikki Beaudry, Yulissa Torres and Angie Reed also won awards for their performances.

Duffey said, “My favorite part was going and seeing all the different schools because there were over 60 schools that competed. All the duo scenes, monologues and the one acts — they were all open for everyone to see.”

by ABI BROOKS