Little Oscars returns with glitz, glamour and sentiment

The 56th Annual Little Oscars awards ceremony, presented to Iola High School theater and forensics students, brought back a more traditional celebration of the arts.

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May 17, 2021 - 8:57 AM

Jonathon Poffenbarger was the night’s big winner with four Little Oscars awards, including “Most Inspirational.” Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register

The coronavirus pandemic made it a difficult year to perform theater and forensics, Iola High School teacher Regina Christiensen said during the Little Oscars theater awards presentation Friday night.

And the various restrictions caused by the pandemic — performing plays while wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart, avoiding touching, limited audiences, virtual forensics contests — made it even more challenging to inspire others.

But the students found a way. Perhaps none more so than senior Jonathon Poffenbarger.

Austin Morris performs “ Santa Fe” from Newsies. Morris won the Best Actor award.Photo by Vickie Moss / Iola Register

Poffenbarger walked away with the most hardware of the night, with four Little Oscar statues including Outstanding Players Member, Don Bain Showman of the Year, a repeat win as Best Supporting Actor, and the Susan S. Miller Most Inspirational Forensics Team Member.

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