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Sheridan Mirador, a senior at Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri, won First Place in the Regional Finals of the English-Speaking Union's, Shakespeare Competition in Kansas City. His sponsoring teacher was Andrew Hanch, Center Theatre Teacher. This was the 36th  anniversary of the Shakespeare Competition for the ESU Kansas City Branch.

Approximately 175 students participated in preliminary competitions in Kansas City area high schools. The ESU Kansas City Branch Competition was held on February 16, 2020, at the Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch, Kansas City, MO. 

Seventeen school winners from the Kansas City area schools participated. Sheridan impressed the judges and captivated the audience with his performance of Romeo in a  monologue from Romeo and Juliet and his recitation of Sonnet 138. He will go on to represent ESU's Kansas City Branch as a semi-finalist at the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City on April 27, 2020.

The Second Place winner in the ESU Kansas City Branch finals was Ashley Schwach a senior at Paola High School, Paola, Kan. Her sponsoring teacher was Leslie Coats. The Third Place winner was Matthew Grigoratos, a senior at Blue Valley High School. His sponsoring teacher was Maureen Davis.

Sheridan's First Place prize package from the ESU Kansas City Branch included a check for $150, a full scholarship to the Shakespeare Exploration Camp offered by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, a Certificate of Appreciation and an engraved First Place Medallion.

Sheridan will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City for the final stage of the Competition on April 27, 2020, as well as other group activities in New York City. Perhaps best of all for Sheridan will be the opportunity to spend a weekend with other ESU Branch winners from across the country who share his love of the Bard and his works.

Sheridan will be competing for amazing opportunities this summer which. includes a full three-week scholarship to the British American Drama Academy Midsummer Conservatory Program in Oxford, England. The Second Place National Winner receives a scholarship to the American Shakespeare Center Summer Theatre Camp in Staunton, Virginia and the Third Place National Winner receives $500.00.

Two previous Kansas City winners have won First Place in the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. One past Kansas City winner won Second Place in the National Competition. In 2017,  Trevon Wainwright from Paseo Academy, won Third Place in the National Finals. 

Click here for Photo Gallery from the Competition

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