Four students from Fort Hays State University received awards at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Conference that ended Nov. 1. In the senior men’s division, Blake Connelly, Ellis, took second place; in the senior women’s division, Kathleen Steinert, Lyons, placed third; in the freshmen women’s division, Shelia Dickerson, Hays, took fifth; and in the senior women’s division, Emily Cline, Lyons, placed fifth.  As a regional semi-finalist in the senior women’s division, Sarah Odum, Hays.

“It was basically a voice competition,” said Dr. Joseph Perniciaro (pronounced pear-nih-CHAIR-oh), teacher of voice and director of opera at FHSU. “It is based on gender and year in school.”

The conference included workshops and student auditions and was held in Kearney, Neb.
Other students who attended the conference were David Adams, Hays freshman; Steven Cornwell, Bison freshman; Calder Craig, Hays, freshman; Trista Pruett, Ellinwood senior; and Trevor Waechter, Lakin sophomore.