Watchel receives "Spirit of Theater" drama award

Skyler Watchel sat quietly as Cardinal Players adviser Janine Warrington and drama teacher Heidi Peterson gave a speech about the qualities and characteristics of the student who would receive the 2015 "Spirit of Theater" award. When Warrington announced Watchel's name, all eyes in the audience turned to him as he put his face in his hands.

Watchel was one of many students honored as the Medical Lake High School drama department it's celebrated third annual T.O.M.L (Top of Medical Lake) awards, May 15.

The awards ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the drama department including the Cardinal Player's successful run of William Shakespeare's "As You Like it."

The show deviated from its usual musical number and instead featured the Cardinal Players officers giving their testimony on how drama has impacted their lives.

For club president Madison Pearson, being a part of drama helped her during her freshman year where she not only experienced the weight of classes but also the passing of her uncle.

Like Pearson, Watchel also found an escape in drama for the "bad stuff school can present."

"I decided to get more involved my sophomore year," Watchel said.

The Cardinal Players performed the appropriately titled "The Greatest Skit Ever," where performers went on a quest to find the greatest skit.

This year the club also formed an improv group named "Wingin' It," who performed a skit toward the end of the show. The skit - a suggestion from one of the audience members - was focused around a pet store that sells dead puppies.

In addition to Watchel, several performers were honored at the event including Alexa Ray, who received the "Professionalism" award for her hard work in "As You Like It," and Chandler Pederson, who earned the Cardinal Players' "Robin Williams" award. Peterson honored students from her first-period drama class. Students from the class also performed a scene from their upcoming play "The Comic Book Artist," which runs May 22-23.

During her speech, Warrington praised Watchel for his contributions to the school's theater program.

"His enthusiasm for this program has been a blessing," Warrington said.

For Watchel, who is not only involved in drama but also choir, receiving the honor and "getting to embody the spirit of theater" is the greatest honor he has received.

"I'm flabbergasted and thankful," Watchel said. "Being a part of all of this has been a whole lot of fun."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.