#52 Stories--Story #3

What extracurricular activities did you get involved in?

While I was a kid in elementary school I participated in 4H at our local neighborhood club called Sunset 4H. A lot of neighbor kids were in the club too. I tried gardening (Mr. Scariot was our local gardening leader), photography (Huck Hagenbuch was our leader), Foods (I don't remember the leader but my one foods competition at the country fair I did Lemon Squares, I remember that much.) I tried cake decorating, floral design, and sewing.  None of those really stuck.  I did participate with Dairy Goats tough and I LOVED that. 

I got my first goats when I was about 10: Klara (an black and white Alpine) and Surprise (a LaMancha--they have minimal external ears--she looked like camel.)  MaryLou Rawitser was our goats leader.  We learned how to care fro them and to shop them from the time there were just little things and still ate from a bottle until they were at least a year old and were sent back to the dairy to get a little bigger and be bred.  It was a great situation for us as we fostered the goaties as babies which helped the dairy, then returned them to the dairy when they were old enough to get about being milkers.  The baby goats have personalities like puppies--only smarter.  They are AWESOME!  We'd show them all summer long and then live at the country fair in San Jose for about a week with the goats.  So. Much. Fun!

In junior high I also tried Girls Basketball and then Track & Field.  I was left handed but that was the only advantage I had in basketball.  I was pretty uncoordinated and really never like running.  For Track, I really enjoyed high jumping and the discus and shot put.  Probably becuase at hte junior leevl there isn't much running at all. 

In junior high I was part of the student government.  My role wasn't an elected one though--it was the faculty selection that partnered with the student elected leaders.  I was the Student Senate president--or some such title. I suppose I was pretty responsible and dependable.  I had had some leadership experience in 4H and then throughout Young Women at church. I just recall I got to call and book the DJs for the school dances each month or so.  Who lets a 13 year old do that?!

A little in junior high and then again in high school, at least my senior year, I was on the yearbook staff.  I had photography experience and could write fairly well. That was a fun time too!

I started a love affair with live theater in high school as a 4 year member of the Mime Troupe.  A group of kids across all four years that learned pantomime sketches and did some improv too!  I love the improv stuff.  We performed for the school, at elementary schools, local city celebrations and county fairs and once a year at the Shriners' Children's hospital in San Francisco.  That was always a good time.  I made great friends and learned a LOT!  I learned about auditions and along with the drama classes I took from Mr. Maya, the drama teacher, I learned to love performing and making people laugh. Again, I had opportunities for leadership here too as I eventually served as Mime Troupe president.

Eventually I did stage management for other plays and eventually acted in some and as a senior, had a leading role in the Senior Play and then directed the student directed Spring show that year with my friend, Darin Carter.

Because I had room in my schedule my senior year I also tried out for the brand spanking new Chamber Choir--which I made mostly due to the flexibility of my schedule than for my talent.  I learned so much from Mr. Robb, the director, and made terrific memories and friends.

Another Success...With A Lot of Trying

Last night I got to go see our local high school's production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying".  It is a musical, set in the very early 1960s corporate America.  While it may not be my favorite musical theater show, it is quite cute and the kids, of course, are simply amazing and talented to an excess.

But the funny thing I noticed last night, drawing a strong contrast to my own high school theatrical experiences, was that the 60s-esque secretarial pool (all the women characters are secretaries in this show) didn't know how to "act sexy" or how to smoke.  One character, Hedy LaRue, came the closest to the sexy mark, but she was more an amalgamation of Marilyn Monroe and Betty Boop--so already a cartoon character.  The girl that played her was excellent in pulling that off, by the way.

But the other secretaries had a number where their womanly distractions int he work place were to be emphasized and the girls tried really hard but it still looked sillier than sexier.  And for that, as a former YW leader, I am glad.

But the biggest chuckle I got was watching them with their cigarette props.  I'm sure their drama teacher had to coach them about how to hold the prop and then how to "smoke" it.  But there were several who never quite "got it".  It was comical.  But such a relief.

How nice that our high school kids didn't really know how to hold or smoke a cigarette.  We really have come a long way, baby!  My high school had a smoking section--for the students!  Many kids I trod the board with knew from personal experience how to smoke...and many other things.

It was a cute production, and one that made me grateful that I am working in the business world--though at a MUCH smaller business--in the current day.  Sadly, much of what that show portrays is likely very true...both for the way women in the workplace were treated and for the incompetence of both men and managers.

It was a fun night and any time I get to hang out with my friend Amy, especially with comped tickets from the drama teacher, I'll take it!

Soapbox + Plug

Last night I got tickets to opening night of Seussical, the Musical, as performed by our high school productions class.  It was delightful.  The set was bright and cheerful, the kids were energetic and the message was uplifting and so pleasant.

May I suggest, we could all do a little better in support the arts locally--at our high schools, junior highs and elementaries.  Arts programs are becoming more and more rare in public education, sadly, and when a product opens, we really ought to support it. 

That said, I get the chance to also help out at the junior high band concert on Thursday.  Last week was the orchestra, and in a couple more week we will have our choir concerts.  Here is another way to support public school art programs.

It is easy if your own kids are involved in the show.  But what if your neighbor kids or church kids are in it?  Have you gone just to watch the local kids performing?

The $7 or so it might cost for the ticket--about what a movie ticket costs--goes a lot farther for public school arts & musical productions, in my opinion.  You'll get a nice evening, maybe seeing a show you've never seen before (as last night was me) and the performers gain additional experience with a medium they are seeing less and less of.

Grab your kids, grab your neighbors, grab your friends and go see a show.  Might I recommend Seussical?  They'll close this weekend.  Get your tickets while the gettings good.