Middleboro — Middleboro High School Junior Kailey Almeida won second place in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild Tech Theater Competition for her costume design for the school’s production of “She Kills Monsters”.

Almeida was not in the spotlight for “She Kills Monsters,” but the theater community said she is the reason why they all looked great on stage. Kailey Almeida was one of the costume designers for the recent Speech and Theater Workshop (STW) Fall Show “She Kills Monsters.”

With the show behind her, Kailey set her sights on the statewide Excellence in Tech Theater Competition. Kailey presented her costume design to a panel of judges from the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild along with 25 other contestants.

The Excellence in Technical Theater Contest is open to all high school students. Students may enter any form of tech theater element including set design, set dressing, props, costume design and hair and makeup, lighting, among other categories. Students can take part both in person and/or in a virtual setting. Contestants may not submit more than two different designs from the same show or a single from two different shows. Almeida prepared her submission in only two weeks.

“I was nervous going into the competition, but the nerves eased once I realized how welcoming the community was,” Almeida said. “I felt like my work was really appreciated and I’m grateful for having this opportunity to show my process in costuming. I give a huge thanks to Mr. (Theater Director Samuel) Mosher and Hannah Bradley for helping me get this far. I hope to inspire future generations into reaching their goals in the same way I did with my own.”

When asked about Kailey’s dedication and persistence, Mosher said, “We are incredibly proud of Kailey for being the first Middleboro student to enter this prestigious statewide competition. Her costume design skills and responsibility already rival those of technical theater students at most undergraduate college levels. The example Kailey sets for every Sachem only reinforces how great this community is, and how Sachem Theatre keeps driving forward.”

“This is such a wonderful accomplishment for Kailey,” said Middleboro High School Principal Paul Branagan. “She works so hard and her true love is everything she does within our Black Box Theatre. I am so glad that METG had an opportunity to see the amazing work that Kailey creates, and beyond proud of her work and commitment to excellence.”