For most people, December 14, 2002 was a normal Saturday, but not for the cast and crew of the NFL’s one act play. During the long ride, they nervously anticipated success at Susquehanna University.

This year’s play is called A Stone in the Road, and was written by Leon Lukajzawski. The NFL is putting on this play with the help of Mrs. Carol Leshock and Mrs. Marsha Williams. A Stone in the Road is a story with a moral. It starts with a stone placed in the middle of a road by a Queen, and as a reward for anyone who removes the stone from the middle of the road, she left a beautiful ruby ring. Many people, both rich and poor, passed the stone with disbelief, wondering why no one had taken the initiative to move it. Finally one day two farmer boys who are passing through on this road see the stone, and decide to pick it up, for they realize that someone may get hurt. They move the rock and then find the ring. The Queen finds out about these two boys and is so ecstatic; one boy was changed into a girl and she makes them into nobility.

“This play shows people that if you are lazy, and you don’t do anything unless someone tells you to, then you will never be rewarded in life,” said Leshock.

There are some main guidelines set up for any participants of the plays. Some of these are that there isn’t much scenery needed, partially due to the fact that there isn’t much time for it. They only get 10 minutes before the play and five minutes after to put everything up and take everything down. Every group has to have at least three characters, and the plays themselves can only be 20 to 40 minutes long. Also, unlike many other plays, costumes aren’t a necessity to the cast. There are three judges who score based on acting ability and if the play strikes a chord with their personal liking.

A Stone in the Road has been very successful this year and the cast and crew were very excited to further their achievements at states. The Pennsylvania State competition was held on December 14 at Susquehanna University. The cast consisted of 17 members and the play was 35 minutes long.

Along with 16 other schools, they traveled to Susquehanna University on December 14 to prove their talents to five judges one last time. “I believe that was their best performance ever (at states),” Leshock commented. Even though their score has not yet been determined, they know that it falls between 4th and 6th place, and that’s perfectly fine by Leschock who is “very proud” of their accomplishments.

“The one act play has made it to states a few other times in the past, even though we didn’t get a chance to go out last year,” said Leshock. But all in all, they look forward to success this year with A Stone in the Road. With a great cast and crew, many have agreed that this year’s state performance was the best by far.