April 26, 2024

School board recognizes NHS students for musical theater awards

By Justin Jagler

Newton High School theater students Natalie Camp, Alayna Reynolds and Matt Moran, center, were recognized at Monday’s school board meeting for being part of the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase. (Justin Jagler)

Newton High School theater students were recognized at this week’s school board meeting for participating in the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase.

NHS was among 60 Iowa schools to be recognized at the Des Moines Civic Center on June 5. On Monday, a few students from the theater department came before the school board to show off their awards and share their experiences.

This year, Newton’s theater students tackled “Beauty and the Beast.” The group was honored at the Musical Theater Awards, and individual awards were dealt to NHS students.

Matt Moran received an award for outstanding performance in a principal role as “Gaston.” Alex Burkett and Reese Rosenquist each received special recognition honors for performance in a principal role.

Moran, Natalie Camp and Alayna Reynolds were on hand at the school board meeting. They were introduced by NHS Activities Director Scott Garvis.

“If you didn’t have the chance to come and see our musical, it was absolutely amazing,” Garvis said. “These kids did a phenomenal job. When they took on the role, they took it all on. They were tremendous.”

It was really special, Moran said, to get recognition for the work they put in.

“We had the opportunity to perform alongside some other great artists in the state,” Moran said. “It was a lot of fun meeting kids that have the same passions.”

Reynolds said the theater students were able to work with professionals from Broadway on different dances and singing at the awards ceremony.

Camp reflected back on how the NHS theater department did so many new things this year, like a character breakfast. The group’s performance of “Beauty and the Beast” sold out both nights earlier this year.

The statewide awards were a great way to wrap up the school year for the theater students.

“I had so much fun,” Camp said. “I made so many friends, and I think it was just an amazing opportunity.”

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com