The Biloxi High School Drama Department’s production of “The Gift of Tenyin” has won top honors in the South Mississippi High School Drama Festival.

The production, directed by drama teacher Kelly Norris, won a Distinguished Play Award, which allows the Biloxi students to advance to the Mississippi Theatre Association's State Festival in January. Also, Cobren Greer and Cody McGuire received All-Star Cast Awards for their performance, while the entire cast and crew received the Best Scenic Design Award.

A total of 15 South Mississippi schools presented timed, one-act plays in the drama festival, which was held Dec. 4-6 at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Each play was evaluated by three adjudicators from university theater departments across the Southeast, and students were judged for their acting abilities, technical skills and overall behavior.

At the state festival planned for January in Natchez, the drama department will present the same play and once again be adjudicated for their efforts. Nine other high schools from across the state will participate in the festival as well.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to take our play to another level,” Norris said. “My students have worked very hard for their successes and I am glad they are being recognized for their achievements. This has truly been a team effort."

Students involved with both the cast and crew are:

Kristen Bankston, Erika Barber, Tammy Begnaud, Beth Bonin, Jessica Byrd, Yolanda Cruz, Tellisha Dedeaux, Corey Gaspard, Cobren Greer, Jazman King, Shay Lawson, Lakisha McGowan, Cody McGuire, BreAnna Moore, Daniella Rojas, Bryan Rosetti, Nic Russell, Charles Shoemake, Shalise Sims, Lucy Thompson, Katherine Touhill, Alexandra Ware, John Wetzel, Wilson Wielgosz, and Dorthy Wright.

To see photos of the winners, click here.

To see behind-the-scenes photos from the November presentation of "The Gift of Tenyin," click here.

School board meeting: The Biloxi school board meets this evening at 5:30 at the DuKate Building. To see the agenda for the meeting, click here.

Early dismissal: Biloxi Public Schools will have early dismissal on Friday to kick off the Christmas break. School resumes on Jan. 5. To see key dates for this school year, click here.