Great Gatsby comes to life at VTHS

VERNON — The world of The Great Gatsby came to life in the VTHS Café on Tuesday evening February 28, as students in Marc Bray’s and Student Teacher Kate Stellingwerf’s sophomore English classes celebrated the culture of the 1920s with the “Roaring Twenties Revue.” Mr. Bray said, “This event stems from a long held desire I have had to include parents in the education of their children. Having a student teacher who is so full of creativity and energy like Ms. Stellingwerf offered me the perfect opportunity to do something big.” In all, 76 students participated and over 100 parents attended the event.
The event featured student-generated performances spotlighting news, sports, art, fashion, comedy, theater and music from the 1920s. Highlights from the night included: a Vaudevillian magic show by Emily Rhoades and Natalie Alheidt, a news broadcast from Alexis Czerhoniak, Jacob Jaeger and Devon Greenwood, a continuous art gallery curated by students and two show-stopping musical numbers, “Creep” by McKayla Van Orden and “ Nobody Knows when You’re Down and Out” by Donna Nicole Zaiens.
Kathy Austin said of her son, “William loved the entire process and was so energized last night when we got home. It was awesome, as a parent, to see him glow last night. Not only did he learn tons about Fitzgerald, Great Gatsby, the 1920s era, he built up his self-confidence, team building and leadership skills.”
Ms. Stellingwerf said, “I’m extremely proud of the students’ performances and dedication to the project. The night was a great chance for the students to immerse themselves into this fantastic decade. For me, as an educator, this is a night I will remember for my entire career.”