I am fairly certain that if I took a poll of all of the adults in the building there is one thing we will all agree upon - I do NOT want to go back to high school! We all did it once and that was enough. About half way through the rehearsal process I realized that I was feeling a disconnect with this show and struggled to feel centered. It turns out it was all because of the mere thought of having to relive high school. Walking around our SJMS campus one day changed my entire outlook on the show.
This show takes our wonderful middle schoolers on journeys of responsibility, friendship, teamwork and accountability. Stratford’s devotion to Social Emotional Learning is embedding the tools our students need to be successful beyond academics. The students are becoming better human beings.
So, maybe we adults can be the last generations of people who would never go back to high school. Maybe these remarkable middle school kids will grow into high school kids who support each other ending generations of a culture of bullying. Then become adults devoted to a compassionate world. I know it is a tall order considering this is all coming out of a musical. These bright and smiling faces I see everyday at school will change the world.
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The last lyrics you hear in tonight’s performance should be further assurance that the future is in good hands. Listen for this beautiful lyric, “Everyday from right now, gonna use our voices and scream out loud. Take my hand, together we will celebrate. Everyday! Everyday! Everyday!
Join me as we celebrate and raise our voices and scream out loud for the amazing students of the San Jose Middle School Drama Club and Disney’s High School Musical 2, Jr.
~Mr. Michael Strelo-Smith
SJMS Drama Director
