Several Fort Hays State University students competed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing's West Central Region Student Auditions recently in Greeley, Colo.
Rachel Cunningham, Hays High School sophomore, and Sheila Dickerson, TMP-Marion High School senior, also competed in the NATS competition. Dickerson placed third in the high school women's division.

Craig Calder, Russell freshman, placed fourth in the freshman men's division.

Participants prepare three pieces before auditions and select one to sing. A panel of judges chooses the second piece. If participants advance to the next round, they choose another song. The competition is open to all people from four states including Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.

"It's a very valuable experience to get to compete against top singers and have the opportunity to hear top singers as well," said Dr. Paula Boire, professor of music at FHSU. "Some of the students also had the chance to see an opera."

Students are listed by hometown.

BELOIT: Nicholas Naasz, special undergraduate.
ELLINWOOD: Trista Pruett, senior.
ELLIS: Blake Connelly, junior.
FONTANA: Taylor French, sophomore.
GARDEN CITY: Alexis Corbett, senior.
HAYS: Sarah Odum, senior, and Anna Towns, sophomore.
HOISINGTON: Kyle Zecha, senior.
HOXIE: Karl Pratt, sophomore.
LAKIN: David Shelden, freshman.
LAWRENCE: Kristin Strom, freshman.
LYONS: Emily Cline, senior.
NORTON: Gena Myers, freshman.
RUSSELL: Craig Calder, freshman, and Austin Eickhoff, freshman.
SMOLAN: Laura Decker, senior.
ULYSSES: Trevor Waechter, freshman.