Boothbay Region High School students in Mark Gorey's AP English Literature class put together a hilarious YouTube video that earned them first place in their division in a contest on the online website, Meridian Stories. Their entry fell under the Vocabulary Vine Challenge category.

Gorey's students were tasked with creating a one-minute video made up of six-second clips, or “vines” created to help students expand their vocabulary. They chose words from William Shakespeare's “Hamlet.” Student actor Jacob Leonard, representing the Bard, was shown in costume cavorting through a series of modern-day scenes sharing his vast knowledge of seldom used or obscure words with 21st century actors.

Besides Leonard, actors included Carter Babcock, Sam Betts, Nicole Clarke, Griffin Kane, and Madison Stahle. Duncan Drapeau, Kenny Hicks, Angie Perkins, Chyanne Rogers, and Alexis Welch made up the production team.

According to its website, the purpose of Meridian Stories is:

• to provide students with media-creation opportunities, as mentored by adults, that allow them to collaboratively explore vital issues – personal, global and educational – in ways that take full advantage of their digital capacities; and
• to provide teachers with a digital tool that can tap the continually growing power of the new digital literacy – including social media – for traditional, educational ends.

The video can be seen on the Boothbay Region High School facebook page, or by accessing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYDndXH5h3E&feature=youtu.be