**Oh look! I added something important to the bottom!**

There's a light that's from my window
And it shines down on the street
There's some guys standing on the corner
They're making some good old harmony.
Now this light that's from my window
Sets the stage for the street corner symphony.
Let it shine
Let them sing
And make that good old harmony.

Singin' soul to soul (soul to soul)
Brother to brother (brother to brother)
A capella (a cappella)
And it sounds good to me
Good old soul to soul (soul to soul)
Brother to brother (brother to brother)
A capella (a capella)
And it sounds good to me.

There's a sound in the neighborhood
And it's soundin', mighty good
There's some guys standing under the light
And they're singin' again tonight.
Singin' that good old a capella
That sounds so doggone sweet!
Let them sing
Let them dance
And make that good old harmony.

Singin' soul to soul (soul to soul)
And brother to brother (brother to brother)
A capella (a capella)
And it sounds good to me
Good old soul to soul (soul to soul)
And brother to brother (brother to brother)
A capella (a capella)
And it sounds good to me.

Before I turn out my light
Say good-night to another night.
Before I rest my weary head
Upon my warm and waiting bed.
I'm gonna get on my knees and pray
Tell the lord to give me just one. More. Day!
Oh, lord, hear my plea
That music means so much to me.

And I'm singin' soul to soul (soul to soul)
And brother to brother (brother to brother)
A capella (a capella)
And it sounds good to me.
Good old soul to soul (soul to soul)
And brother to brother (brother to brother)
A capella (a capella)
And it sounds good to me.

"That music means so much to me". Really it does. Choir has always been one of my favorite classes, and I just love singing so it's no wonder I lettered. I sing whenever I can, whenever I know no one is listening. I'm getting better about my vocal shyness (thanks to my voice teacher Dale Krus and of course Mr. Dahl). I don't know what I would do without my music and my ability to sing. I may not be as spectacular as my sister, but I think I'm pretty good and I love it so what does it matter? Kids make fun of me sure, but as long as I can sing I'll be okay. And yes it is rather nerdy to letter in choir, but I'm proud of myself. Because not only do I have enough points to letter, but I have enough points to letter and go up to the next step and get a pin (though you can't get both at the same time, only one letter or pin a year). And I don't care what you say, Wayzata has a damn good choral program. We went to the contest at Armstrong with nothing but our little black amish-girl-esque dresses and our will to sing. The other choirs in their fancy robes made fun of us for our simple dresses. But we blew them away. We recieved all superior ratings and some pretty great comments from some pretty amazed judges. And I love our choir because I feel comfortable with them all. When Mr. Dahl asks me to sing something on my own to demonstrate or check if I have it, I don't feel like I'm being judged. That's pretty big for me because I always feel like I'm being judged. I'm still kicking myself for not practicing enough for my Concert choir audition though, because all my choir friends (Jenna, Caroline, Laura, Angela, the other Angela, Michelle... and the boys, Scot, Kent, Scott, Jack, Kevin...) are all moving up while I'm going to just go into Bel Canto. My junior friends are excited to have me with them in Bel Canto, but I wish to be with my sophmore friends in Concert too. Oh well, maybe I'll be like my dear friend Chelsie and make it senior year. If I don't, I'm not sure what will become of me but a lump of nothing. Singing really does mean that much to me.

Clusters of crocus
Purple and gold.
Blankets of pansies
Up from the cold.
Lillies and iris
Safe from the chill.
Safe in my garden
Snow drops so still...

Ah the fall musical the Secret Garden. Feels like just yesterday, but forever ago all the same. I miss the show, and the cast so much. The stage is my second home, and they my second family. They taught me the ins and outs of the main stage show, and all the inside jokes and secret traditions. They also taught me to enjoy it to the fullest because it is hard to get into that group and be a part of the shows. We work for what we earn, and that's why Wayzata also has the best theater program in the area. Yes, we have won "best musical" for our fall shows for years and years. I don't care what other schools may do for their show, or claim to have. We have the determination and talent to get us "best show" every year. I overheard some girls talking one morning in the hallway saying how they were going to a show at Benilde. They said "the shows there are so much better. The shows here suck." I was so infuriated, as I should be. We work our asses off for 4 hours everyday for about 2 1/2 months to bring what we have to the table. No one can go to a Wayzata show and think it sucks, no one. Those girls however, were the girls that love theater and try out for the plays but don't make it, and parts of me thinks they were bitter is all. I know I was bitter last year when I didn't make the shows. It's just so competitive. Still, the awards show that we are at the top. In fact, we go to the Spotlight awards soon to perform a song and scene from our show and to recieve our awards.

We won:
- best lead male (Craven/Alec Hoge)
- best lead female (Lilly/ Liz Hawkingson)
- best supporting role (Martha/ Natalie Sandberg)
- best stage manager (Cory Hammet)
- best tech crew
- best orchestra
- best chorus (woo! Though technically I'm a named character, haha shhh)
- honorable mention for best show overall

The only reason we didn't win best show (and this was told directly to Mrs. Potter by the judges) was that the night they came our lights were being faulty, because the school is getting to that age where they have light issues with the stage. We got them fixed ASAP but not the night the judges came. That is the most awards out of any other school there. We are highly respected and when we perform we take it seriously. I'm so honored to be a part of such a highly respected group. And I dare anyone who questions the talent of the people in these shows to actually go see one and judge for themself.

So theater kid or choir nerd, visual and vocal arts are my favorite things. I may not be the best drawer, painter, sculpter, but I do take pride in my firm grip on the theater/choir community. I'm proud of my accomplishments, and the accomplishments of all the talented singers/actors that stand right beside me. I'll put my letter right by all my play posters/programs and dance trophies, so I can look at them every day, and remember why I'm here, and why I haven't given up yet.


So this is a little update. The cast for the Secret Garden had a little meeting today concerning general theater things and our award ceremony on June 8th. Spotlight awards, like when we actually get them. Anyways, it was fun to see everyone again and be able to chat for a bit. Mrs. Potter also told us what next years main stage fall musical was going to be...
We're offficially doing Sweeny Todd.