Makenna Perkal, a senior at James Bowie High School, placed first in poetry interpretation at the University Interscholastic League State Meet held on May 21-22 at the University of Texas at Austin.

A four-year member of the forensics team and theatre department, Perkal took ranks of 1-1-2 in her finals round, almost sweeping the event.

Perkal, who is captain of the forensics interpretation squad and president of Starlight Theatre Company, will be attending Webster University this fall to study acting.