First, I am incredibly humbled and thankful to be back in the district that gave me so many opportunities as a young student, performing on stage, and I can only hope that I am able to encourage and help create positive experiences for these students just like I had.
The holidays are a busy time of year, but they are also the one time of year that music and singing seems to take over and fill us all with happiness. This is why I wanted our students to experience performing in a holiday musical. My first goal for our students was to provide an opportunity for them to perform on stage in the most positive and professional, setting possible. My second goal was to select a production that focused on something heartwarming, simple, relatable, and also a way to capture more of our younger students and continue to build our performing arts program. A holiday musical like "Elf Jr The Musical" fit into those goals perfectly!
I have truly enjoyed working with such a wonderful cast and crew. And, working with my former elementary music teacher, Mrs. Slack, once again has been an absolute joy. If she has taught me anything over the years, it is to just let kids enjoy singing and being on stage and they will learn along the way because they are having fun and doing something that they love. It's so exciting to watch these students blossom on the stage as I know they are in a school district that continues with a long tradition of supporting the arts because I was one of them many years ago, right here in this same wonderful school district. I can’t wait to see how their passion for the arts will grow with the resources and opportunities we are able to provide them now and in the years to come! Franklin Local is so blessed to have such a supportive administration and board of education, and Mr Cottrill is a trail blazer! Thank you.
As the holiday season begins, it's easy to get busy and forget what is truly important to us. I hope that this musical experience makes you pause and reflect on what Christmas truly means to you. AND... if you find yourself forgetting, just sing a Christmas song because….
“The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” - Buddy the Elf.
- Stina
