Elementary Performance Success with Help of SBHS

Post date: Mar 25, 2015 5:44:2 PM

Freshmen Keith Grant collects ‘rubber duckies’ while the kindergarteners transition into their next song. Kindergarteners performed “Songs of Sesame Street” for an excited audience. photo by Madison Pankratz

Madison Pankratz, staff

Anxious, worried and excited are just a few emotions going through the Sturgis Elementary School kindergarteners. The kindergarteners had been working to perfect their performance “Songs of Sesame Street” since before Christmas.

In order to ease their nerves, ten SBHS students -- seniors Chris Wheeler, John Gasper, and Willow Cowherd; sophomores Tate Witcraft, Heidi Schulz, and Tanner Vansickle; freshmen Madison Pankratz, Abby Barker, Molly Buchholz and Keith Grant -- spent the afternoon helping the kindergarteners.

“It was hard, but fun at the same time,” Grant said, “ I really liked having part of the day off to help [the kindergarteners] out.”

SBHS students spent their time setting up props, fixing costumes, and helping the students. They helped with the dress rehearsal and then worked to make sure everything was set up before the actual performance.

During the performance, the high schoolers worked backstage, bringing out props and helping with any “emergencies” the kindergarten performers had.

“It was a fun and interesting experience to see what the kindergarteners worked so hard on,” said Buchholz.

Witcraft said, “I really enjoy helping children.”

Sturgis Elementary School music instructor Hillary Hill prepares students for their performance every year.

In addition to her position as music teacher, Hill organizes all of the elementary school performances. Every grade, kindergarten through fourth, has a play once a year.

“It was really adorable and so much fun,” said Barker.

The SBHS students have helped at multiple performances in the past. They have been backstage helping at almost every play for the last two years as well as at Hill’s summer music camp throughout the summer.