Tag Archives: Willink Middle School

WHEN brings Listening Post back to the middle schools

2 Feb

A fun program spearheaded by the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN) is helping build connections between middle school students and Webster community members.

The program is called the Listening Post, and it’s designed to foster student engagement through interactive and enjoyable activities like games and crafts. Last Thursday and Friday, WHEN brought the program to Spry and Willink middle schools, setting up tables in the cafeteria during the lunch blocks, filled with card games (UNO, Go Fish, Old Main and War) Valentine’s cards, stickers and markers. After finishing their lunch, students who were interested could come over and play a game or make a Valentine’s card for the residents of Maplewood Nursing Home.

WHEN used to hold these Listening Posts regularly before the pandemic, but this is the first time they’ve been offered since then. Linda Dioguardi, WHEN’s programming chair, remembered that the response back then was overwhelming. She was a little unsure how the students would react this time around and was hoping that there would be at least some interest.

Turns out she had nothing to worry about.

During the six lunch periods at Spry on Thursday, more than 125 students came over to the tables to play cards or make Valentines. The response at Willink the next day was equally enthusiastic.

WHEN volunteers and retired WCSD teachers joined the students at the tables to play some surprisingly competitive games of UNO or Old Maid, or to make some charming Valentine’s cards. And while they were participating in all the fun and games, the students didn’t even realize they were benefiting from positive interactions with adults who were truly interested in who they were and what they had to say.

The ultimate goal is to strengthen relationships and enhance the sense of community within — and outside — the school.

WHEN hopes to host a Listening Post at least once a month at each of the middle schools through the end of the year. This time only retired WCSD teachers and WHEN members were been invited, but as the program ramps up again, any retiree from the Webster community is invited — and encouraged — to participate. For more information, visit the Webster Health and Education Network website or email info@WHENdfcc.org.

The photo above is of some of the Valentine’s card makers at Willink. Here are a few others from the two Listening Posts:

  • Card games and card makers at Spry
  • Principal Callahan challenges some Spry students to a game of UNO
  • The WHEN/retiree Listening Post team at Willink
  • It was all smiles during the card games at Willink

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

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(posted 2/2/2025)

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A sneak peek at Willink’s production of Annie Jr.

29 Jan

I had the pleasure Monday night of getting a preview of Willink Middle School’s upcoming spring musical, Annie Jr., which takes the stage this coming weekend, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

You all know this classic musical. Set in Depression-era New York City, it tells the story of a spunky orphan who dreams of finding her real parents, who years earlier had abandoned her on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. With her infectious optimism and unwavering determination, Annie navigates the challenges of life and ultimately finds a loving home with the wealthy businessman, Oliver Warbucks.

It’s a charming story, and I dare say the cast members of the Willink Drama Club have captured that charm perfectly.

As I sat watching the dress rehearsal, I couldn’t help but think that I would be seeing many of these young people on the Webster Thomas stage — and even a Broadway stage — some day. Still just in middle school (some as young as 6th grade) these young actors presented impressive acting and singing skills. It was obvious how hard they’d all worked to bring this production to the stage and how much fun they were having. It’s especially enjoyable to see the entire cast of almost 100 students take over the cafetorium floor and aisles, filling the entire room — top to bottom and side to side — with song and dance.

The staging is simple, but effectively draws the audience into every scene. It’s easy to become so engaged, for example, that you feel like you’re just another of those orphan girls, waiting for Miss Hannigan to storm in and start barking orders. And just TRY to keep from singing along to “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” or “Tomorrow.”

Annie Jr. is a delightful, feel-good production filled with young talent that will knock your socks off. Staged by an energetic cast and crew of more than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, it’s a story of optimism, hope, friendship and adventure that’s perfect for the whole family.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Children 2 and under are free. Click here to order them online.

Here are some more photos from the orphanage:

  • Mark Garbach and Harper Johnson
  • Kayla Vanderlinden and Poppy Short
  • Kayla Vanderlinden and Ella Boneberg

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/29/2025)

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Annie, Jr. tickets are on sale!

27 Jan

For those of you looking forward to grabbing some advance sale tickets for  Willink Drama Club‘s upcoming production of Annie, Jr., I’m pleased to tell you that they’re now on sale!

Annie Jr. tells the tale of a spunky orphan named Annie (Kayla Vanderlinden) who dreams of finding her real parents. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan (Poppy Short). With her infectious optimism and unwavering determination, Annie navigates the challenges of life in a Depression-era orphanage and ultimately finds a loving home with the wealthy businessman, Oliver Warbucks (Mark Garbach), his personal secretary, Grace Farrell (Harper Johnson), and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

It’s a heartwarming story of optimism, hope, friendship and adventure that’s perfect for the whole family. It features a large, energetic cast and crew of more than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, who’ve been working hard for months to bring the production to the Willink stage.

Show times are Friday Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Children 2 and under are free. Click here to order them online.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/27/2025)

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30 years of beautiful music and counting

13 Mar

In March of every year — Music in Our Schools Month — we can always count on our incredibly talented Webster musicians to pull together some outstanding performances. This weekend’s concert by the Willink Student-Parent Band is a great example.

The band is celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend, three decades of inter-generational musical collaboration by middle school students, alumni and their parents.

For this very special occasion, conductors Matt Osika and Tiffany DiPiazza are planning a very special evening of vibrant music featuring harmonies of past and present generations. This year’s band even has  three generations in one family performing together, when three Willink Middle School/Webster Thomas High School students will be playing with their mother and their grandfather.

This is truly a heartwarming evening of community music which the whole family will enjoy.

The concert will be held on Saturday March 16 at 7 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. Tickets are $4 at the door.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 3/13/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

26 Jan

The secondary schools’ lineup of spring musicals begins in just a few weeks when the Willink Drama Club presents Finding Nemo JR. on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway.

An adaptation of the beloved 2003 movie, Finding Nemo JR. tells the story of Marlin (Jeremiah Fischer), an anxious and over-protective clownfish who lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo (Harper Johnson), who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters Dory (Peyton Short), Crush (Rylie Biroscak), and the supportive Tank Gang (Jeremiah Clark, Ella Boneberg, Benedict Sweeney, Leah Schinaman, Kayla Vanderlinden, and Sierra Strelick), Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. showcases a large, energetic cast and crew of more than 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and free for children ages 3 and younger. Tickets can be purchased online here but should also be available at the door.

Challenger Miracle Field invites the community to a Valentines Dance on Friday and Saturday Feb. 9 and 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Webster Country Club, 440 Salt Rd.

Participants ages 20 and under are invited to attend Friday night, and those 21 and older can come on Saturday. Both nights will feature dinner, a photo booth, and a DJ providing the dance music.

Cost is $10 for 1 to 2 people, $25 for a group of three or more. Click here to register. Registrations are due by Feb. 2.

Beyond Cuts Salon on North Ave. in the Village of Webster is working with RocMaidan to send relief supplies to the Ukraine.

The salon is now collecting any size bottles of Ibuprofin (Advil) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and cold medicines and bandages of any size, which will be added to the medical backpacks which RocMaidan regularly ships to the Ukraine for soldier and civilian casualties.

Please drop your items off at the salon, 33 North Ave., during normal operating hours.

The annual Robynpalooza Golf Tourney has been scheduled for June 14, 2024 at the Morgan’s Crossing Golf Club in Scottsville.

This tournament is in its 13th year of having fun and raising money for local charities. Last year’s event raised $18,000, which benefited the Genesee Land Trust, Webster Public Library, Human Kindness and Webster Rotary charities. Business owners are encouraged to support this year’s Robynpalooza by purchasing a sponsorship, which range from $100 to $2500.

For more details, visit www.websterrotaryny.org or call 585-678-1378.

The next general meeting and luncheon for the Women’s Club of Webster will be held on Thursday Feb. 15 at Proietti’s Restaurant, 980 Ridge Rd. Cherie Wood, Webster’s coordinator for Wreaths Across America Webster, will be this month’s speaker.

The event begins with a social mix-and-mingle at 11:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting at noon and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Then Cherie will speak about Wreaths Across America and other projects supporting Blue Star families and Gold Star mothers.

Lunch will feature a buffet featuring Proietti’s famous Chicken French, stuffed shells, zucchini marinara, salad, and a cannoli.  The cost is $24. Send your check made out to WCW by February 8 to Carolyn Rittenhouse, 405 County Line Road, Ontario, NY 14519. Questions? Phone Carolyn at 585-265-1303.

New members are always welcome.

The CDS Wolf Foundation invites community members to join a fun afternoon of bowling at the 17th annual Strikes for Abilities Bowling Party, scheduled for Sunday Feb. 25 at Bowlero Webster, 2400 Empire Blvd.

Registration costs just $250 for 5-person teams, and includes two hours of unlimited bowling, bowling shoes, pizza and unlimited soft drinks, prizes, a cash bar and raffles.

To learn more and sign up, click here.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 1/26/2024)

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Middle school food pantries fill a gap in student support

30 May

An in-school food distribution effort at Spry and Willink middle schools is helping make sure that no student there goes hungry.

The food pantries were first established last year at Willink Middle School when math teacher Julie Russi and school counselor Mary Hurley realized there were a significant number of students at the school who were asking for food almost daily because they were hungry. After looking further into the issue, they also discovered that many of those students were experiencing financial and food insecurity at home. Even though they had access to extra food at school, that wasn’t helping them when they got home.

In the elementary schools, students facing these issues can take advantage of the district’s free-food backpack program, and the high schools have established food pantries. But there was no such program at the middle schools. Clearly there was a gap that needed filling.

To do that, Hurley and Russi established the Willink Food Pantry. It began small, just a single shelf in Hurley’s office, stocked with food from Immanuel Lutheran Church, which supports the elementary schools’ backpack program. Over the summer, they brainstormed ways to expand the program and involve the entire school community. They came up with a schedule where each of the building’s nine core teams would alternate months donating food and hygiene items for the pantry.

With their plan in place and the entire school’s help, Hurley and Russi have been able to keep the pantry stocked all year, supporting several students and their families, and a few staff members.

A peek inside the pantry at Spry Middle School

The decision to begin a food pantry at Spry Middle School was sparked much the same way as the Willink pantry. Staff members were discussing how one of their students was concerned they might soon be evicted from their home. That would mean the entire family could become food insecure. Literacy teacher Meghann Piwko recognized the need and, using Willink’s established pantry as a model, started to organize one at Spry as well.

Similar to the program at Willink, Piwko rotates the donation schedule among the different houses’ homerooms, asking students, parents and teachers to donate during a particular month. The donations are then sorted and placed in two cabinets for students to access. Students are welcome to visit the cabinets and take whatever they need, as long as an adult is present.

Both programs are running smoothly. But every once in a while something reminds you how important these kinds of programs are for our young people. Like when Piwko asked a student why they never took any of the pastas and sauce. Turned out that they had no way to cook pasta because they live in a hotel and only have access to a microwave.

Even though the school year is nearing the end, it’s not too late to help stock the Willink and Spry middle school food pantries. Even over the summer, food will continue to be available to students. Willink will continue to distribute food to families over the summer, and any items left over at Spry will be boxed up and sent home with kids and/or donated to Webster HOPE.

For more information about donating to either pantry, click here. You can also email Meghann Piwko at meghann_piwko@webstercsd.org or Julie Russi at julie_russi@webstercsd.org. You can also click here to check out a video the WCSD made about the pantries.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 5/30/2023)

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Willink students practice important life skills while giving back to the community

12 May

Every school year, hundreds of lost and found items are left behind by students, and despite the schools’ best efforts, most are never claimed. So what can be done with the mounds of abandoned coats, gloves, hats, shirts, water bottles and lunch boxes?

Cori Horn’s 12:1:4 functional life skills class at Willink Middle School has come up with a perfect, win/win solution. Two times a year, Cori and her students launder, sort, fold and pack countless items collected from nine schools, then deliver them all to Webster HOPE on East Ridge Rd.

Cori came up with the project a few years ago, after noticing the large number of lost and found items collecting at her school.

“When we saw how much stuff Willink had,” she said, “I thought, I’m sure all the other schools probably have a lot, too. It would be great for all of it to go back to the Webster community.” She researched clothing closets in Webster, learned about Webster HOPE, and then proposed her idea to every other school in the district. Eight other buildings responded and offered their lost and found items to the cause.

The project is a perfect way for the students to practice the basic life skills they need as they work towards independent living, while also teaching them patience and perseverance.

Each box was clearly labeled

As the items are collected, the students first sort them based on clothing type and whether they’re for boys or girls. Then they wash and fold the items, pair up the gloves, zip up the jackets and match the tops to the water bottles. Finally, they place the items in the correct boxes. Even prepping a new box required life skills, like looking closely at the picture on the label, peeling the tape and attaching it to the box. The repetitive nature of all the tasks is especially beneficial.

Each student works on every aspect of the project, giving them a great sense of accomplishment for contributing to something important.

This is the second time this school year that the students have completed the ambitious lost and found project. Last December they packed and delivered 38 boxes to Webster HOPE. This spring they almost doubled that haul, collecting 64 boxes filled with hats, gloves, snow pants, sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, and even Halloween costumes. Earlier this week, they packed them all into two SUVs and then Cori delivered them all to Webster HOPE. There, a small army of very grateful volunteers helped unload them to be stored until they can be distributed to the agency’s clients.

Webster HOPE director Margery Morgan couldn’t say enough good things about the students’ work.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “They wash it, they label it, it’s packed up unbelievably well, already presorted. Sixty-four boxes of name-brand, top-of-the-line clothing. We’re delighted.”

Margery was especially grateful for the snow pants, which she called “a huge item for us.”

“A lot of kids in Webster can’t go outside at playtime if they don’t have snow pants, so they have to stay in the library. A lot of our families can’t afford snow pants, so those are gold to us.” She felt the same way about the lunch boxes. Most of the children they serve get free lunch at school, so they don’t have lunch boxes for summer camp. The dozens of clean, colorful lunch boxes will be greatly appreciated by the families HOPE serves.

A project like this benefits every person and every place it touches, from the students who are learning valuable skills, to our Webster neighbors who benefit from the donations, to the organizer herself.

“I’m so happy that I’m allowed to do this,” Cori said. “It’s a refresh at the end of the school year, a project that’s giving back to the community. … I love doing volunteer work. When we can volunteer and get life skills and curriculum work out if it, it makes me so happy.”

She added that the best part, however, “is when the parents say they notice that the kids are improving, doing the stuff at home.”

Blessed is assisted by her teacher Mrs. Moorman
Sebastian loading up a car
Sophia getting boxes ready for shipping
The volunteers at Webster HOPE were overjoyed with all the items. Pictured are: Kathy Lombardo, Jeannine Fulkerson and Debbie Steinorth

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 5/12/2023)

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Secondary students got a dose of Locker Love Wednesday

13 Apr

Our Webster secondary students got a dose of positivity Wednesday morning, when they arrived at school to discover sticky notes attached to their lockers. Each of the multi-colored notes carried a self-affirming message encouraging individuality, internal strength, perseverance, resilience and more.

It was all part of the “Locker Love” program, a Webster Central PTSA secondary engagement event, in partnership with the Webster Health and Education Network (WHEN).

Thanks to the efforts of dozens of volunteers who fanned out to each of the secondary buildings on Tuesday night, almost 7,000 inspirational notes were posted, one on every single locker at Schroeder High School (including GOAL), Thomas High School (and OWL), Willink Middle School (and OWL), and Spry Middle School. The volunteers also hung a number of motivational signs throughout the buildings.

The whole idea behind the project, said WHEN chairman Janine Sanger, was to inject a little positivity into the students’ lives, and “to remind kids that they’re the good in the world.”

Webster Schroeder Building Chair Stacie Peters noted that programs like these are a great way for students and their families to realize that PTSA is still relevant in the secondary buildings, even without the birthday parties and book fairs common at the elementary level.

“The secondary chairs love doing these special events for the students to make them feel special,” Stacie said. “(They) all love partnering together because what PTSA is in the middle and high schools is so different from elementary.”

Stacie and the other secondary PTSA chairs — Kim Kozlowski (Thomas/OWL), Kara Quigley and Amanda Clayton (Spry) amd Erin DeSarra and Allison Schoeffler (Willink/OWL) — organize several creative events like this every year, which are always enthusiastically supported by the secondary school administrators.

“We need to support students no matter how old they are,” Stacie said.

This is the third time the secondary school PTSAs have spread Locker Love. The first program was run in 2019, then again in 2020 before the pandemic hit.

At Willink Middle School
Inspirational posters were also hung at each school
At Spry Middle School
Kerry Lang, Elementary Special Ed. TOSA,
and PSTA Chair Stacie Peters in the GOAL hallway at Schroeder
Dustin Baily and his son Brian helping out
at Schroeder
More hard-working Schroeder volunteers

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 4/13/2023)

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That’s Webster entertainment!

1 Feb

For anyone who enjoys stage performances, song and dance, you’re gonna love these first few weeks of February. No fewer than four stage and concert performances are scheduled, beginning this coming weekend, when Willink Middle School presents Disney’s Newsies, Jr. in three shows on Thursday and Friday Feb. 3 and 4.

Featuring a cast and crew of 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, the show is based on the real-life newsboy strike of 1899. It tells the story of Jack Kelly (Nicole Eggleton), a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant, Joseph Pulitzer (Jeremiah Fischer), raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from reporter Katherine Plumber (Evie Aiezza), the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.

The show is packed with high-energy songs which have become well known to theater-goers and non theater-goers alike, including “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”

Shows are Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 4 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, Webster. Tickets are on sale now on the Drama Club website. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Children 3 and younger are free.

Also this weekend, on Sunday Feb. 5, our very own Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody will participate in a free concert at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre called “A Taste of Song.”

The concert, presented by the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium, will feature 16 area choral groups. More than 600 singers from local choirs/choruses of all sizes and musical styles will sing in this unique, 75-minute collaboration.

Each chorus performs for five minutes or less in a “prism” arrangement, with ensembles singing from various locations throughout the theater. Groups perform continuously without a break or applause between ensembles.

The Chorus of the Genesee and Rochester Rhapsody will be joined by the Eastman Rochester Chorus, the Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus, First Inversion, Madrigalia, the Oasis Community Chorus, the Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus, and many more. For a complete list and more details, click here.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Eastman Theater, 26 Gibbs St., Rochester.

Next weekend, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Feb. 9, 10 and 11, Webster Schroeder Musicals will present the ABBA-inspired jukebox musical Mamma Mia!

Chances are you’re familiar with the story, but here’s a short synopsis for those who aren’t:

Young Sophie is readying for her marriage to her fiancée, which will be taking place on a beautiful Greek island where she lives with her mother, Donna. She’d like to invite her father to the ceremony, but problem is, she doesn’t know who he is. After reading her mother’s diary, she invites three men, one of whom she believes is her father. When Donna discovers they’re all on the island, she naturally becomes a little distressed. Emotions run high, but everything works out in the end.

The play features tons of popular ABBA songs, including “Money, Money, Money,” “Thank You for the Music,” “Dancing Queen,”  and of course “Mamma Mia.”

Mamma Mia! will be presented on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Feb. 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. Reserve tickets are $14 each and are available now. Click here to purchase.

Webster Schroeder High School is located at 875 Ridge Rd.

And last but not least, also on Feb. 10 and 11, the Webster Theatre Guild will present “The One-Act Play that Goes Wrong” as part of a dinner theater at the Penfield Recreation Center.

Both the Saturday and Sunday shows will begin with a pasta dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performance. Tickets are $25. The event is a fundraiser and proceeds will help fund scholarships for graduating high school seniors and support the staging of upcoming musical theater productions.

I wrote a much more complete blog about this yesterday, so click here for more information.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 2/1/2023)

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Middle schools announce theatrical performances

23 Jan

You know that spring can’t be far behind when Webster’s middle schools announce their late-winter performances, which are always the first on the schedule every year.

Willink Middle School kicks everything off in just a few weeks when they present Disney’s Newsies, Jr. in three shows on Feb. 3 and 4.

Featuring a cast and crew of 100 sixth, seventh and eighth graders, the show is based on the real-life newsboy strike of 1899. It tells the story of Jack Kelly (Nicole Eggleton), a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant, Joseph Pulitzer (Jeremiah Fischer), raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from reporter Katherine Plumber (Evie Aiezza), the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.

The show is packed with high-energy songs which have become well known to theater-goers and non theater-goers alike, including “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”

Shows are Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 4 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway, Webster. Tickets go on sale the week of January 30 on the Drama Club website. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Children 3 and younger are free.

Looking ahead to March, the Spry Middle School Drama Club is putting the final touches on their production of Footloose, scheduled for March 10 and 11.

Footloose tells the story of a young man who transfers to a high school in a small Midwestern town where rock music and dancing have been made illegal. As he struggles to fit in, he faces an uphill battle to change things.

The cast is led by 8th graders Rowan Murphy as Ren and Lilah Kastrinos as Ariel, supported by Rory Goodwin as Rev Shaw and Sarah Lowe as Vi. Ani Boller, Savannah Lane, Emily Berry, Grace Clayton, Abby Bielemeier and Evan Burdick round out the strong ensemble cast.

The performance features 80’s classics including “Footloose,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Almost Paradise” and “Let’s Hear it for the Boys.”

Footloose will take the Spry Cafetorium stage on Friday March 10 at 7 p.m., and Saturday March 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. More details to come about tickets.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram.

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 1/23/2023)

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