The Denver Branch Shakespeare Competition was held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, April 22, 2026. Fifteen students participated, cheered on by teachers, family members and friends. Congratulations to the three top students: First place winner Victoria Chang from Littleton High School will compete in the National Shakespeare Competition at the Lincoln Center in New York City April 25-27; Lorena Franklin from Lakewood High School won second place and Owen Daly from Grandview High School won third place; both received cash prizes. Special thanks to Sam Wood and the crew at Denver Center for the Performing Arts and to Denver Branch Shakespeare Coordinator (and videographer extraordinaire) Ace Eggleston.
Four students read their winning essays for the 16th Annual Dr. Howard F. Beckley Writing Competition prompt, Allegory in Art Beyond Literature, at the ESU Denver Branch Holiday Party at the Denver Woman’s Press Club on Sunday, December 7, 2025. 1st prize: Riley Irwin from Littleton High School (teacher Shelly Russell). 2nd prize: Isabella Urban from Lakewood High School (teacher Sue Stokley). 3rd prize: Evolene Kolb from East High School (teacher Todd Madison). Honorable mention: Byung-A Choi from Lakewood High School (teacher Sue Stokely). Congratulations to the students and teachers!
The Denver Branch met at the University Club on November 13, 2025, to celebrate its 2025 TLab scholars. Manual High School teacher Ben Butler and Smoky Hill High School teacher Katie Cunninham both attended Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. They co-presented a lively summary of their three-week study and its impact on their curriculum and in non-Shakespeare settings – with Ben’s football team and in Katie’s assignment of The Outsiders. Volunteers also participated in a small-group activity. It was a high-energy evening, enjoyed by all!
