Calhoun High School won multiple state championships at the AA state literary competition on Saturday, March 20 at Houston County High School in Warner Robbins. The Literary Team, under the direction of Elaine Little and Julie Leggett, placed second in overall wins in the state.　 This is the high school’s strongest standing since taking the first place trophy in 2006.　 The team placed first overall at the Region VII AA events, held at First Baptist of Calhoun, on Friday, March 12.　 Placing in nine of the ten events, first place winners continued their quest at the state level where Bailey Reeves, Girls Solo, placed third, and Clifford Lance, Boys Essay, placed second.　 Taking this year’s gold at state　 were Kate Leggett, Girls Extemporaneous Speaking; Ava Langford, Girls Dramatic Interpretation; Patrick Wade, Boys Dramatic Interpretation;　 and the CHS Boys Quartet, made up of Chas Waters, Tenor I, Chris Sapp, Tenor II, Marcello Audino, Baritone, and Logan Daniel, Bass. As a side note, Patrick Wade was also named Best Actor for Region VII AA and the State AA Division of GHSA this year.　 Also placing first at the state level were the Girls Trio of Gordon Central High School.　 "It speaks highly for the arts in our community that five of the ten AA state titles came from the Gordon County area," said　 CHS choral director, Elaine Little.　 "While our nation continues to struggle with the threat of losing arts programs through budget cuts in hard economic times, the literary efforts of our local schools stand proud and victorious among Georgia high schools. Whether as Thespians, musicians, speakers, or　 writers, the power of the word reigns strong in our educational community."