My first acting competition

In 1974, I participated in the state forensics festival at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Our team placed third overall and I received third place honors for dramatic interpretation. The event was sponsored by NSDA (National Speech and Debate Association). Everyone back home was so excited and supportive.

Funny, I'm not sure I had ever been out of the Parkersburg area before that; in any case, the support helped more than anyone may ever know. It's been such a wonderful ride since then and I've made so many great friends in the performing arts along the way.