Drama students at Lower Lake High School are calling on the generosity of the community to get them to New York City. The New York City Club has been committed to raising funds since September, but more money is needed.
The club is working against a deadline that has already passed so students are sending a plea out to the community to help get each and every one of them to the Big Apple.
“This is an educational experience of a lifetime,” said Drama Teacher Tracy Lahr. “I want every student interested in going to be able to enjoy this amazing life-long experience.”
This is the third educational trip to NYC coordinated by Lahr and is open to all Drama Club members. Only three of the 20 students interested in participating have raised the total $2,364 they each need to attend. “Kids are having to drop right and left and I don”t want them to have to do that,” Lahr said. “Our due date has already passed so we are really pushing it. We are working really hard to make this happen.”
While visiting the Big Apple, students will enjoy a variety of educational activities. In addition to seeing three Broadway plays, which include after-show discussions with the cast and crew, the young aspiring entertainers will participate in five theater workshops and embark on tours of several significant locations.
Freshman Junirose Thom said she is looking forward to seeing the plays and talking with the cast while Ashlea Percell, also a ninth-grader, said she can”t wait to just take in the ambiance of the big city. “Not many people on the west coast can say they”ve been all the way to New York City. It just seems like its going to be a great experience I don”t want to miss,” said Percell.
Another ninth-grader, Veronica Wilder, who will be participating in the trip for the first time, said she is especially looking forward to touring the Juilliard School and experiencing first-hand the atmosphere of the school. “It”s talked about so much on TV and it”s so popular, I can”t wait to see what it”s really all about,” Wilder said.
Junior Isaac Turpin participated in the trip two years ago and said he”s looking forward to returning to the Apollo Theater. He said he”s a fan of comedy and expressed his respect for the venue that gave many African-American comedians their start in the entertainment industry.
Freshman Nick Mollencup said he”s anxious to visit all the historical sites in New York City such as Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty and Time Square, to name a few and Scott Dean is looking forward to a tour of Radio City. The students will also tour NBC Studios, the Theater District and a cruise around Manhattan Island during their trip.
The New York City Club has been tireless in its effort to raise the required funds. Students have held hot dog and popcorn sales, catalogue sales, a pizza night and many other fundraisers including a program in which they are recycling old cell phones and computer equipment. The club is also selling a local merchants” discount card.
The Super Value Card is priced at $10 apiece and is valid through Dec. 31, 2008. The card provides its holder with a variety of discounts at several local businesses including Wild About Books, Girlfriends, Enterprise Towing, Big O Tires, Paradise Pizza, William”s Jewelry, DJ”s Pizza, Griffin”s Furniture Outlet, Cabo”s Mexican Restaurant, Leopard Rose, Lisa”s Sizes 3 to 60 and The Elegant Touch. The card is available through any New York City Club member or by calling Lahr at 295-7806.
To making a monetary contribution to help get these students to New York City, send your donation to LLHS NYC c/o Tracy Lahr, PO Box 799, Lower Lake, CA 95457. The trip is planned for Spring Break, March 24 through 29.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
