It’s funny how things can fall into place. Olivia Bannister and Garrett Prall learned that on Saturday. Turns out they are a dynamic duo though their pairing is new.
The two earned first place in improvised duet acting at the State Forensics competition in Topeka.
“I kinda was partner-less all season,” said Bannister, a sophomore at Iola High School. “This was sort of a last hurrah type of thing.”
At the very last meet of the season Regina Chriestenson, Iola Forensics coach, suggested Bannister pair up with Prall. It proved magic. The two took first, qualifying them for state.
For Prall, a junior, Forensics has been an on-and-off pursuit.
He began Forensics his freshman year, took off his sophomore year, and took it up again this year.
“Things started to get stressful and I became busy with other activities,” Prall admitted. “I didn’t really think Forensics was my thing and wasn’t going to do it again next year.”
His recent success have changed his mind.
For their final round Saturday, they had to make up a skit with the information of Bannister portraying a pediatrician and Prall as an airhead whose tongue gets stuck to an ice tray.
“I started it out with saying, ‘Garrett, you’re having a baby,” Bannister said.
During the duration of the skit his water “breaks” and he manages to get his tongue stuck to the ice tray. The two said they hope to act together again next season.
JOINING Bannister and Prall in the award department are Clara Wicoff, sophomore, who placed sixth in original oration, and Trilby Bannister, junior, who received fourth with her humorous solo piece. Wicoff was out of town on a school trip and not available for an interview.
Trilby presented a piece called, “Mary Choppins,” which is about a nanny who happens to be a hit man. Trilby said she felt like her day went pretty well until her last performance of the day.
