There's not much good that I can say about my high school experience. It was a small and rural school. A majority of the kids were cliquey and rude.

Let me tell ya, I do not miss high school.

The one thing that I can say, though, is we had a superb Theater Department. We were small but we were mighty. The people I met through this program were accepting, caring, and amazing. If it hadn't been for the excitement of theater in the spring I don't know if I would have ever made it through the fall.

There was nothing better than late night rehearsals, after school line reading, or, in my case, auditioning sick nearly every year. The theater department became my home and my family in high school. It was my priority. The long hours conflicted with work and sleep, but that didn't matter. The production was worth the sacrifice. I'd rather be on the stage than anywhere else during the spring semester.

My only regret, was not auditioning my freshman year. Coming into high school I was shy, insecure, and I didn't believe in myself. That all changed when I auditioned my sophomore year. I found my voice pretending to be someone else on my high school's (pitiful) stage. My character had purple hair. She brought me out of my shell. The rest of the cast kept me out of my shell.

My English teacher my sophomore year was also the director. If it wasn't for that familiarity with her I don't think I would have auditioned. Her interest in the students (not just the theater kids) made a difference.

Being involved in theater in high school allowed me to really explore my passions. I was able to confront my insecurities and squash them. Whether I was a queen, an outsider with purple hair, or a hotel maid, my part mattered. I mattered.

I might not miss high school, but you can bet your tractor that I miss that program and the people in it and if it weren't for them I wouldn't be the person I am today. I doubt I would like the person I am today.

I may not do theater anymore, but it made it's impact and for that I am forever thankful.

So thank you for being a part of my theater experience; whether you were in the cast, in the crowd, or reading this now.

And a special thank you to my sophomore English teacher, director, and stage aunt. The theater department wouldn't be the same without you.