Captivating audiences with a performance of a sonnet and monologue from Shakespeare, Union Pines High senior Blake Schrein of Vass placed as a semifinalist at the English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition.

The competition was held at Lincoln Center in New York City recently for 58 winners of ESU Branch competitions nationwide. Schrein had won the ESU Sandhills/Pinehurst Branch regional competition.

“I am very proud of Blake,” said Union Pines High theatre arts teacher Judy Osborne. “Her performance was terrific, and she represented Union Pines and Moore County Schools in the best possible way. I am very grateful to the Sandhills Branch of the ESU for their support of this program. It’s an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime by the students.”

The English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition is a school-based program to help students develop their speaking and critical thinking skills and their appreciation of literature as they explore the beauty of the language and timeless themes in Shakespeare’s works.

As the winner of a local English-Speaking Union Branch Competition, Schrein was awarded the trip to New York City for the final stage of the competition. The ESU National Headquarters provided the Branch finalists with two full days of activities, including an acting workshop at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and tours of New York City.

Schrein plans to attend UNC-Charlotte in the fall studying theatre and languages. She is the daughter of Ron and Rena Schrein of Vass.