Children’s Play Takes the Stage Tonight and Tomorrow

Belleville West Little Theatre presents the 2020 children’s play, Seussical the Musical Jr., on Thursday and Friday, January 23 and 24. Bring the entire family to enjoy this unforgettable caper based on the beloved stories of Dr. Seuss.

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat (senior Jaylon Muchison) narrates the story of Horton the Elephant (senior Danny Laney), who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos.  Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie LaBird (senior JoJo Holm).  Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz (senior Delaney Holliday) never loses faith in him.  Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!

Performances begin at 7:00 each evening in the BW Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are $3 for children, $6 for students, $9 for adults, and $6 for senior citizens.  Advance tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4439855.

Speech Team Members Earn almost 40 Medals at Glenwood Tourney

On Saturday, January 18, the Belleville West Speech and Acting team claimed second place at the Glenwood SISAL Tournament in Chatham.

The following students won individual awards in the varsity division:

Delaney Holliday — first place in Prose Reading

JoJo Holm — first place in Original Comedy

Isa Karathanos — first place in Special Occasion Speaking

Elise Moore — first place in Radio Speaking

Diego Reed — first place in Humorous Interpretation

Delaney Holliday — second place in Poetry Reading

Max Juhas — second place in Extemporaneous Speaking

Jaylon Muchsion — second place in Dramatic Interpretation

Jaylon Muchison — second place in Oratorical Declamation

Armoni Willis — second place in Original Comedy

Emma Koontz — third place in Original Oratory

Jayden Touchette — third place in Special Occasion Speaking

Owen Buescher — fourth place in Radio Speaking

Isa Karathanos — fourth place in Original Oratory

Emily Bechtold and Danny Laney — fifth place in Humorous Duet Acting

JoJo Holm — fifth place in Informative Speaking

Jerry Aplin — seventh place in Radio Speaking

Brooke Collins — seventh place in Oratorical Declamation

Jordan Sinkler — seventh place in Impromptu Speaking

The following students won individual awards in the next-in varsity finals:

Audrey O’Renic — first place in Poetry Reading

Anna Buescher — second place in Poetry Reading

Paige Goodrich — third place in Impromptu Speaking

Danny Laney — fourth place in Prose Reading

The following students won individual awards in the junior varsity division:

Wini James and Diego Reed — first place in Humorous Duet Acting

JoAnna Bauza and Zara Thompson — second place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Grace Kearns — second place in Dramatic Interpretation

Khaleo Price — second place in Original Comedy

Sarah Hauser and Elise Moore — third place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Gabe Kurfman — third place in Extemporaneous Speaking

Clara Baldus and Johnny Harris — fourth place in Dramatic Duet Acting

Shanan Riley — fourth place in Informative Speaking

Michael Wells — fourth place in Original Comedy

Abby Barger — fifth place in Original Oratory

Khaleo Price — fifth place in Special Occasion Speaking

Emma York — fifth place in Radio Speaking

Caroline Geib — sixth place in Oratorical Declamation

Allison Zaiz — sixth place in Prose Reading

Dallas Watson — seventh place in Impromptu Speaking

Lucille Wilson — seventh place in Extemporaneous Speaking

The speech team coaches are Mr. Adam Jenkins, Mr. Russ Reidelberger, Ms. Julie Schloesser, Ms. Anna Kurtz, and Mrs. Leigh Reidelberger.

English Students Welcome the Class of 2024

On Thursday evening, Belleville West hosted an open house for incoming freshmen and their parents.  Students active in English extracurricular activities–Page One (the literary magazine), Little Theatre, Hy News (the newspaper), and Bellevinois (the yearbook)–welcomed students from the class of 2024 and shared information about extracurricular opportunities.

Annual Children’s Show Takes the Stage Next Week

Belleville West Little Theatre presents the 2020 children’s play, Seussical the Musical Jr., next Thursday and Friday, January 23 and 24. Bring the entire family to enjoy this unforgettable caper based on the beloved stories of Dr. Seuss.

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos.  Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie LaBird.  Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.  Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!

Performances begin at 7:00 each evening in the BW Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are $3 for children, $6 for students, $9 for adults, and $6 for senior citizens.  Advance tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4439855.