VCUQ recently held its Annual Dramatic Reading Competition.
This year's winners were; First Place: Group—Sara Jabari Husni, Asma Al-Thani, and Miriam Greiss, Second Place: Group—Maria Gasan, Angela Guy and Reem Al Hajri and Third Place was a tie: Solo— Selina Farooqui and Group—Sahar Mari and Sali Qubrosi.
The student competition is judged by faculty; participants read three to four minutes of their favorite passage from the chosen book. Winners receive their prize certificates at the VCUQ annual awards banquet. The competition is sponsored by the VCUQ University Wide Reading Program, it is the first of its kind at the university level in Qatar.
Every year the books are picked by VCUQ English faculty. "We prefer students to read young adult literature. Usually a 'coming of age' novel is chosen, in which the main character is discovering who they are. We feel students can identify with these characters" saidRobin Fetherston VCUQ Assistant English Professor and Founder and Coordinator of the program.
This year's book was entitled So Be It written by Sarah Weeks. Twenty-eight students participated and 13 judges made up of faulty, staff and administration including VCUQ dean Christina Lindholm judged students on their dramatic reading efforts. They were judged on volume of their voice, articulation, pacing and rhythm as well as facial expression.
"The judges were most impressed by the student's courage especially considering that many of them were freshmen. Even for seniors to get up in front of an audience can be an anxiety-heightening experience said Robin Fetherston VCUQ Assistant English Professor."
The competition gives students the opportunity to consider the fact that reading is important and also can be shared. It also gives future designers the chance to present in front of an audience that is evaluating them. Due to the popularity of the competition students have now formed voluntary reading clubs.