MAR 2023 "Come on, Wildcats!" All throughout January, Eastern Middle School students have practiced their production of High School Musical. Starring Matthew Smiles and Lyla Salvatore--who play Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez respectively-- the show follows the two teens as they navigate their newfound interests in high school. Additional cast members include Ned Davis, Nora Stern, Lucia Sepulveda, Kyler Woerz, and seventy-three other EMS students amongst all three grades. This is the first show open to all grade levels, something which Jennifer Badillo, the technical director of the show, thinks, ".gives an opportunity for like sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to blend," which was "not really an opportunity for that before here at Eastern." Furthermore ,as Badillo commented, "If you're interested in doing the musical, it's better, because you can be in it for three years instead of only one." On Feb 2, the EMS production of High School Musical will open. In the words of East High announcer Jack Scott, "Wildcats rule, baby!"