Competitions Archives - Reynolds College Blog

MSU opera students shine in national competition

February 26, 2025 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

Missouri State University’s Opera Theatre achieved an impressive milestone, qualifying for the 2025 Robert Hanson National Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in January.

Three sophomore standouts represented the university during the competition. Jb Love (music performance), Ryan McIntosh (music education) and Veronika Yerina (double major vocal performance and biology) are all members of MSU’s “Opera Bears” club.

MSU Opera director Dr. Ann Marie Daehn and Dr. Chris Thompson, both professors in the Department of Music, oversaw the students’ performances.

“This is a huge accomplishment for our students and speaks to their talent, dedication and hard work,” Daehn said.

Sending three sophomores was a deliberate choice, Daehn added. Most schools tend to send more experienced seniors or returning finalists.

“We focus on giving opportunities to all performers, even younger students,” she said. “This is about providing every one of our students the chance to grow.”

The National Opera Association (NOA) hosted the event at its national conference in Savannah, Georgia. The competition aims to recognize and promote artistic excellence in opera performance in college and university programs.

MSU Mock Trial team wins first place at Mid-Missouri tournament

February 13, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Mock Trial team won the championship at the 2025 Mid-Missouri Mock Trial Invitational, held Jan. 25-26 in Columbia, Missouri.

The tournament was hosted by the Board of Advocates at the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School and Columbia College.

Two MSU Mock Trial teams competed in the tournament, according to Dr. Jennifer LaPrade, Mock Trial coordinator and associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

The first Mock Trial team won 6.5 out of eight ballots after competing against the University of Arkansas, the University of Missouri, Wheaton College and Southern Methodist University.

The second Mock Trial team also placed well, LaPrade added, winning five out of eight ballots after competing against University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri, Columbia College and Wheaton College.

LaPrade said the wins represent a “big step forward” for the team. “We’ll use this success as motivation to continue growing and improving.”

Six students posing with trophy — Champions of the Mid-Missouri Mock Trial Invitational! L-R: Hannah Killion, Kathryn Wagner, Kenta Otani, Josh Roberts, Zack Collison and Lanya Mangiapanello.

Nancy Allen Research Writing Awards competition announced

January 27, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of English and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) announce the first annual Nancy Allen Research Writing Awards competition.

The competition recognizes exemplary research and writing by students enrolled in any of MSU’s Writing II courses. Eligible Writing II courses include AGR 320; ENG 210, 221, 310, and 321; GLG 358; and HST 210.

Writing II courses introduce students to the writing of their chosen disciplines and professions. As such, exemplary writing will demonstrate research-informed discussion from a variety of disciplines and writing approaches, said Lori Rogers, senior instructor and Writing II coordinator at MSU.

Inspired by student efforts

Rogers, who has taught writing at MSU for over 20 years, created and developed the competition. Students – and their work – inspired her to create the award.

“Many of them put so much time and effort into developing their writing, but there isn’t much opportunity to celebrate undergraduate research writing,” she said. “This award will let us recognize exemplary writing.”

Nancy Allen an ideal example

Nancy Allen.

When searching for an ideal example around which to build the competition, Rogers immediately thought of Nancy Allen.

“We have a strong belief in our department that you can do almost anything with an English major,” Rogers noted. “That ability to create success from a liberal arts background is what Nancy Allen truly represents.”

Allen’s educational and career background provided the perfect example, Rogers said. She first trained as a teacher before attending law school and becoming a prosecuting attorney. Additionally, Allen taught law at MSU for 15 years and is now a bestselling mystery author.

“She has done almost everything you can do with an English major,” Rogers said. “And she has done all that because she was first trained in research and writing, which develops a core knowledge and practice in critical thinking and writing that can allow you to become whatever you want to be.”

Mock Trial season off to great start

December 9, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Mock Trial season is off to a great start.

That’s according to Dr. Jennifer LaPrade, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice and head coach of the Mock Trial team.

“We have a talented, bright, hard-working group of students on the team who are growing by leaps and bounds every week,” she said. “We are having a lot of fun this season.”

Already notching up the wins

During the recent Bear Brawl Classic, held on the MSU campus Nov. 1-3, the Mock Trial team not only played tournament hosts, they also got to hone their competitive skills.

They also notched up a few wins.

Junior criminology and criminal justice major Zackary Collison won top honors for outstanding witness. He received a perfect 20/20 for his role as a defense witness.

Meanwhile, Josh Roberts, also a junior criminology and criminal justice major, won an outstanding witness honor. Delilah Boggs, a junior political science and philosophy major, won an outstanding attorney honor.

Success at UMKC

Group of smiling students holding trophies — Placing third at the UMKC Mock Trial tournament were Zackary Collison, Layna Mangiapanello, Kenta Otani, Kathryn Wagner, Josh Roberts, Hannah Killion and Ben Huinda.

At the UMKC tournament held Nov. 22-24, Mock Trial members added more wins to their already successful start.

In the overall competition, one of MSU’s two Mock Trial teams placed third out of a total of 26 teams.

In addition, two team members won individual awards at the UMKC event. Sophomore criminology and criminal justice major Masey Washington won an Outstanding Attorney award, and junior math/math education double major Layna Mangiapanello won an Outstanding Witness award.

“It is incredible to witness what Mock Trial has become at Missouri State in such a short time,” said Dr. Brett Garland, head of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. “Prior to Dr. LaPrade’s arrival in 2020, there was nothing like it on campus. Going into its fifth year, our Mock Trial team is now regionally and nationally recognized as an up-and-comer, competing neck-and-neck with some of the best in the country.”

Missouri State students excel at national singing auditions

August 7, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Three Missouri State University students from the Department of Music’s voice program took top honors during the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 27-28.

Matthew Juhlin, Theron LePage and Veronika Yerina all advanced to the final rounds and placed in their respective categories, according to Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the music department.

Juhlin placed first and LePage placed second in the Upper Classical TBB (Tenor, Baritone and Bass) Voice category. Juhlin and LePage study voice with Dr. Chris Thompson.

Yerina, who studies voice with Dr. Carol Chapman, placed third in Lower Classical Treble Voice category.

All three received certificates of recognition and monetary awards for their performances.

Emma Gulovsen, Zoe Juhlin, Ryan McIntosh, Tanner Munson, Emily Owings and Jan Veljak all advanced to the semifinal rounds.