Theatre Seniors Leaving their Mark

By Jackie Lyons
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If you take a look in the theatre wing, you’ll notice a wall of colors. Each brick is decorated with the names of previous Seniors who took theatre. Some list the shows they have participated in, some have the college they planned on going to, and others have inspirational quotes.

Every senior that takes theatre looks forward to May when they get to decorate their own brick and to leave their mark at Glenelg High School.

In 1999, Susan Miller, Glenelg’s former theatre teacher, found the windowless hallway dark and dingy. In order to liven it up, she started the concept of senior bricks. Each theatre Senior would pick any brick in the hallway they wanted and receives the opportunity to decorate it any way they want. Current theatre teacher and former student of Mrs. Miller, Kassidy Sharp says, “She was all about leaving your legacy.”  Sharp’s brick is located among the various others in the once depressing hallway.

As the years passed, the bricks started filling up until there was no more room for anymore in the tiny hallway. When Sharp took over Miller’s role in 2015, she moved the now infamous tradition to a brand new hallway right next to the theatre classroom. Sharp says that continuing the tradition is important because, “It brings alumni back which is cool. Leaves positive memories. Gives future students and underclassmen something to look forward to.” Many alumni who have visited their underclassmen theatre friends always make a stop in the sacred hallway. Former theatre student and alumni, Michael Leard, says, “I love coming back to see the hall grow with Seniors who took and enjoyed theatre.”
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These bricks carry something special for every student, Seniors and underclassmen alike. Sophomore Kelsey Falvin says, “I’ve been looking forward to doing my brick since I saw the hallway last year. I think it’s really cool that the seniors get to leave their mark on the school in a permanent way.” Each brick carries a memory, a legacy, a story that will forever remain imprinted on the walls of the Glenelg Theatre Department.