This summer, the DHS Performing Arts Company will say goodbye to 14 remarkable seniors. Although they will not receive the goodbye that is deserved, none of them are lacking an optimistic outlook on what their future's hold.

Kicking off the goodbyes is the PAC 2020 President, Annalisa Ray. Annalisa has been a part of the PAC since she was a freshman. She has worked in the shadows as a techie and has shined in the main spotlight. Next year, Annalisa will be taking her dedication and resilience to Curry College while studying special education.

Attending Salem State in the fall is Technical Director, Connor Stamm. Connor has worked restlessly with PAC since the ninth grade. It will be difficult to replace his gifted set building and lighting abilities. A part of 14 shows at DHS, Connor will soon take the lessons of time management and hard work straight to the Salem State Auditorium where he will be earning his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and Technical Theater.

Senior officer Danny Grennon’s free spirit is another devastating loss for the Performing Arts Company. Danny’s run at the PAC is nothing short of astonishing. He has been a part of 12 shows, the majority of which he acted in. Danny has a strong admiration for all the aspects of theater making him a great role model for every member of the PAC. Next year, Danny will take his his ambitious personality to Westfield State, where he will excel in their animation program.

Next to leave the auditorium doors is Parker Hessasta. Parker has been a techie for the PAC since their freshman year. A 12-show veteran, Parker has loved working with the lights and everything else tech. And although they are going to Merrimack College as an undecided major, their PAC colleagues know that Parker will accomplish amazing things.

Dean Boecher has been hard at work acting for the PAC since grade 9. Throughout his high school theater career, Dean has acted in nine shows and worked tech for one. Each show he was a part of helped his love for theater grow. He gained a second family with every cast and crew. Dean has always been strong willed and would never stop until he got every aspect of the show right. Belmont University is lucky to gain such a marvelous student who will be majoring in engineering physics.

Although the next senior only had a four show run with the PAC, he made a big impact on everyone around him. Inspired by his fellow classmates after seeing Jekyll and Hyde, Joshua Bernadin joined the PAC spring of his freshman year. Joshua never showed up to a rehearsal without a smile and was always full of energy. He picked everyone else up when they were down on themselves and always had a cheesy joke ready to go. Joshua will be putting his excellence into the bio-engineering program at UMass Dartmouth.

Similar to Joshua, Cookie Ducan took part in four shows at DHS. Cookie got to shine this fall when she was the “Stage Manager” in Our Town. She worked nonstop to nail every word. Cookie’s four performances have been scattered throughout her high school years and she gained strong friendships with every show. She has shown all the members of the PAC that with some of the biggest challenges come with the best rewards. Cookie will be attending Smith College as government major.

Marco Pisano is leaving the auditorium with tech and acting experience. After a total of five shows, Marco was a part of the crew for three and the cast for two. Marco has always been diligent, which made everyone certain he would excel on and off the stage. Marco has made countless friends within the PAC--all of which know he is off to do fantastic things at MassBay in their criminal justice program.

Next in line is Scott McCarron. Scott has been a techie throughout his four years at DHS. For many of the shows, Scott was the prop manager. This gave him a huge responsibility. Scott has always worked well under pressure and helped fabricate an exceptional show. He was always there to make someone smile and never failed to create hilarious memories with everyone he met. Scott is constantly motivated and is destined for great things in the future.

As the goodbyes continue, the PAC says goodbye to Joe Dooley with a heavy heart. Joe has been acting for the PAC since his freshman year. Despite all the setbacks Joe has faced, he always excels in every show. Joe has participated in festival every opportunity he got. He described festival as the highlight of his involvement with the PAC and it is something he will miss very much. Joe is going to be attending Colby College where he will most likely major in political science.

Connor Mudge is a vibrant musician. After three years of PAC, he has left a massive impact on everyone around him. Connor has never shown up to a rehearsal lacking the energy to give his best effort. Through the six shows he was involved in, everyone in the PAC has come to love the wonderful kid that is Connor Mudge. The lucky school who will be teaching finance to Connor is Suffolk University. Connor’s joy and positivity will be sorely missed for years to come.

The makeup crew will be frantic next year without Anna Tsisar leading them during the show season. Anna was the makeup and costume director as well as an actress throughout her 12-show span with the PAC. Anna has loved every second of her time in the auditorium. Anna is a very optimistic person who pushed everyone around her to never settle for less than their best. She will be taking her talent to Emmanuel College, majoring in psychology.

Theo Ferentinos has been with the PAC since he came to DHS. Theo has done both tech and acting. He has always been welcoming to everyone new and never stops encouraging anyone around him. Theo will be working hard at Massachusetts Maritime Academy while earning his degree in energy systems and engineering.

The final techie to leave the booth is Jake Reissfelder. Always putting in his best effort, Jake always gets his job done. He teaches everyone around him how to have fun while doing the boring jobs and how to make the fun jobs that much better. Ever since freshman year, Jake has been hard at work learning everything there is to know about the technical aspect of theater. Continuing all the great things he has done with the PAC, Jake is going into technical theater. He will be joining Danny at Westfield State where they both are going to leave a huge impact. .

Although the Performing Arts Company is now in their rear view mirror, the impact these seniors left and the memories they made will last forever.

Theresa Stronach, class of 2023, is currently a Journalism 1 student. She also competes as a Marauder on the field hockey, ice hockey, and softball teams, and is a member of the Performing Arts Company at DHS.