Story by Sophie Flores

Senior Gabby Rehor will represent Northwest this weekend in the annual Shakespeare competition sponsored by the English Speaking Union of Kansas City.

The competition will begin on Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Public Library.

Rehor will perform a memorized Shakespearean monologue and sonnet in front of a panel of judges. The competition will include representatives from other Kansas City area high schools. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the competition. The winner will receive a 3-day trip to New York for the next level of the competition.

Theater director Keli Rodgers chose the finalists from Northwest and then submitted those selections to the Language Arts department teachers who unanimously chose Rehor. She has prepared for the competition by going over the sonnet a few times each day and performing it in front of her theater class.

“I’ve had the same monologue for quite a while now, so it’s kind of ingrained; I could say it in my sleep,” Rehor said. “But the sonnet I’ve just started learning.”

Rehor’s other achievements include being the president of Thespian Troupe #888 and an officer of the Kansas Thespian State Conference.