For the second time in four years, the Alliance High School one-act play team has been crowned state champions.

Alliance’s play, “I’m Not Ebenezer Scrooge,” which is a comic takeoff on Dickens, “A Christmas Carol,” scored 179 of a possible 180 points during competition held Friday at the Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney.

Milford, which was awarded 176 points by the three-judge panel, finished as the runner-up with, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

Wayne finished third with 169 points, followed by Omaha Concordia with 167, York with 158, and Gothenburg with 158.

Alliance won the Class B state title in 2009 and finished as the Class B runner-up in 2010. Last year in Class A competition, Alliance finished third behind Gretna and Lincoln High.

Alliance High sophomore Collin Cox was honored as the Class B Outstanding Male Performer for his portrayal of Jacob Marley. Cox is the second Alliance High student to win the prestigious award. Amy Harris, a senior in 2009, won the Outstanding Female Actress award for her portrayal of Juliet in the comedy production of, “Romeo, You Idiot.”

Other Alliance actors recognized by the judges for outstanding performances were Roger Bunnell, Saige Benton, Ian Nelson, Everett Gerth, and Kacey Horn.

Alliance’s directors, Mary Theresa Green and Jill Hoesing, praised the cast and crew of 42 students for their incredible work ethic and attention to detail, as well as the marvelous support received from parents and AHS staff members.

The play will be offered one more time, as it will be the featured entertainment for the annual meeting of Westco on December 19.

Above photo:   AHS sophomore Collin Cox holds the state champion trophy presented to AHS.   Below:  Cox, who was named the outstanding actor in Class B, as Jacob Marley (Audrey Ridenour photos)