It’s one thing to sit in a desk and learn about historical figures, and it’s another thing to bring them to life.

But that’s what 34 junior high and high school students will do on Thursday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 8 as they perform “Night at the Wax Museum” at Heritage High School at 7 p.m. both nights.

Drama Director Justin Lee said the play “fit the bill” for the students this fall.

“They’re doing a great job at grasping the humor in the show,” Lee said.

“Everyone can read a funny line, but to deliver it, in character, without rushing, and ‘sell it’ to the audience takes practice. Some of our youngest actors (who are in sixth grade) are going to get some great laughs.”

The cast, which has been practicing for the last month, is ready to portray the hysterical characters that romp through the wackiest wax museum while school is out for the summer.

Nine students, who flunked out of history class, are taken to the mysterious Cultully Wax Museum to catch up on all they missed while sitting behind the desk.

Joel Kreeble, played by senior Olaf Schwink, is one of the students who was too busy playing video games to take care of his in-school responsibilities.

But when King Henry VIII,  Anne Boleyn, Cleopatra, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Blackbeard and Madame Ching come to life, Kreeble sees that there is more than meets the eye.

Schwink said that through his time performing at the Homer Opera House and at Heritage, he has learned that there is also more than meets the eye with acting.

“Being in front of a crowd can be a really terrifying experience for some, but for me it’s exhilarating,” Schwink said.

Just like the play, Schwink and fellow cast member senior Madisyn Jones, who plays Jolene Fairchild, said that rehearsals have been just as fun as the production will be.

“If we aren’t running lines, there’s always a sense of inclusivity between members. No one is ever left out,” Schwink said.

Jones said that performing within the Heritage School District over the last six years has helped to give her an opportunity to step outside of her comfort zone.

“I always get really nervous right before I go on stage, and once that light comes on, I’m relaxed and I’m not myself, I’m my character,” she said.

Jolene Fairchild is a twin to Julene, and part of the Museum’s Historical Society.

Like Schwink, who connects with his character through the love of video games, Jones connects with Fairchild’s love of history.

“She loves history and she is a very sarcastic old lady,” Jones said. “History has always been my favorite subject in school, so I can relate to her. As for her sarcasm, well maybe I can relate to that as well.”

Carrying a full load of studies, Jones said that adding practice into her evening schedules can be exhausting, but she learned confidence and determination as she navigates her responsibilities.

“Coming to practice every day can be exhausting sometimes especially when I mess up a line or have an off day, but that night I always make sure to go back over that line or section and focus on my voice, what gestures am I making, what can my audience tell through my voice and reaction,” she said. “I’ve always been determined to give my character justice and look confident while doing it.”

She said her fellow cast members are always there for a pick-me-up, too.

“(They) are the funniest people you could ever meet. Whenever I’m stressed or I’m having a bad day, they always create this joyful environment to cheer me up,” she said.

Both Jones and Schwink believe that “Night at the Museum” is just what the Heritage community should see this weekend for a few laughs.

Schwink said that the audience does not have to know everything about history to get what is happening in “Night at the Wax Museum.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t make total sense if you aren’t familiar with the history, but the jokes are funny regardless,” he said.

The post Heritage High School to perform “Night at the Wax Museum” first appeared on SJO Daily.

The 2019 Heritage High School Marching band season provided students with a “suitcase of memories.”

The show titled “Time After Time” landed the Hawks first place at the Danville Viking Invitational and the Effingham Invitational. The group also captured Outstanding Percussion and Outstanding Visual honors in Danville and Oustanding Music in Effingham.

From the moment students stepped onto the field for band camp in August, they bought into Director Justin Lee’s vision.

“I loved our show this year,” Drum Major Jada Davis said. “I loved the “Time After Time” theme, and from the beginning, I knew it was a show that would fit our group well.”

In her first year as drum major, Davis had her sights set on a first-place trophy, but even more, she wanted her band to experience the same environment that she did as an underclassmen.

Setting down her flute after seven years, Davis said, “It was the position where I thought I could have the most impact.”

Coming out of band camp, the Hawks had their music memorized and about two-thirds of their drill in place.

The Hawks were scheduled to perform at Monticello on Sept. 14, but Lee pulled them out early to add the final details before the competition.

“I didn’t feel we were at our best,” Lee said. “It wasn’t because they lacked effort; it was because I had taken their enthusiasm and pushed too much on them too early.”

Instead of throwing the group into the competition, Lee called the band to the practice field where they tightened up their performance in preparation for Danville the next weekend.

The group saw their efforts pay off quickly.

“The highlight of the season for me was the first performance at Danville in September,” Davis said.

“Coming off the field, I knew that we just had the best run of the show so far in the season. Standing on the field during awards the nerves were hitting me and I wasn’t sure if we were going to pull it off.

“When they announced ‘first place goes to Heritage High School,’ it was the best feeling.”

Lee said the win helped the performers get into the “we’ve got this” mindset.

“At that point, we considered the ‘bones’ of the show to be in place, and every rehearsal became about making each section have the maximum impact possible,” Lee said.

The Hawks went back to work. Lee shared the original judge feedback with their music in the background with his students.

“Some tapes have one or two things we can use, others are eight minutes of gold, and this year we had a few of those,” Lee said.

Together, they go line-by-line, looking for one or two improvements they can make that fufill their long-term vision for the show.

“Every judge looks for different things,” Lee said. “We need to find that common idea that gives it clarity and can also be taught in the little time we have.”

Lee said that by the time the Hawks got to Effingham in October, the show was “second-nature, and had a really energetic, sharp feel to it.”

Davis said that as her time with the Heritage Marching band comes to an end, she knows she was part of something special.

“(Marching band) isn’t your typical sport or club,” Davis said.

“In marching band, you get to do a little bit of everything — using both your mental and physical strength.

The post Heritage Marching Band finishes season with great memories first appeared on SJO Daily.

Broadlands, Ill. – It’s a tradition.

Dating back to 1954, when the Broadlands Community Club was formed, the Broadlands community has gathered in late summer to celebrate the community and raise money for local organizations.

“Local business owners and volunteers wanted to provide a day of family-friendly activities including food, games, and entertainment,” event organizer Megan Desmond said. “Their goal was to raise money to be able to give back to the community for sports teams, camps for kids, scholarships, and improvements to the community.”

By the 1980s, the festival moved from a park near the center of town to downtown along Lincoln and Diller streets.

That is where people will gather during the day-long event that is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2019.

“In 1989, the Broadlands Follies Show formed. Many talented community members sang, danced, and acted out skits directed by Jane Smith,” Desmond said. “Smith directed the Follies for many years and crowds gathered from many nearby communities.”

The Follies show retired a few years ago, but the Broadlands community still invites their friends and family from other communities to join them for live performances throughout the day.

The 2019 lineup includes The Hometown Band, under the direction of Nancy Hogan Reed, which will play familiar classics from 12 to 1 p.m. The Heritage Marching Band, led by director Justin Lee, will debut its competition performance at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Lincoln and Diller.

Homer native Joel Eagles will then take the mic from 5 to 7 p.m. as The Jr. Eagles perform. His performance will be followed by Nickel and Dimes from 8 to 11 p.m.

But the highlight of the day has always been an impressive midday parade at 11 a.m. followed by a delicious fish lunch, presented by volunteers of the Community Club.

Vendors, including food trucks, will be open throughout the day while kids can enjoy activities such as a bike and pet parade, bounce houses, watermelon eating contest, kiddie tractor races, and games.

Adults who participate in the annual softball tournament (registration now closed) will play to raise money for a scholarship in memory of Myron Luth, a former softball coach at Heritage High School.

Bingo at 6 p.m. is open to the public.

Desmond said this community highlight is only possible by the work of volunteers.

“In 2017, a lack of volunteers forced the Community Club to cancel the festival,” she said. “The following year, renewed interest in continuing the long-standing tradition brought forth both seasoned and new volunteers.”

Funds raised during the festival continue to provide scholarships for local students. Each year the group awards a Heritage High School senior with a scholarship.

After this year’s Homecoming, the Broadlands Community Club will move forward in planning the Halloween Parade and Chili Cook-Off.

Sept. 7, 2019
Schedule of Events:
6:00-10:00 am Breakfast Specials at Lincoln Street Lounge
9:00-10:30 Car Wash- HHS Cheerleaders
9:00-3:00 Myron Luth Memorial Softball Tournament @ HS
9:00 Kids’ Inflatables Open
9:30 Street Vendors Open
10:00 Pet & Kids’ Bike Parade (line up at the Broadlands Church @ 9:45, decorate 7:00pm on Friday at the Broadlands Church, or come already decorated!)
11:00 Parade- line up at HS at 10:30
11:30-1:00 Fish, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Sides, Drinks, & Dessert under tent on Lincoln Street
12:00-1:00 Live music by Hometown Band
12:30- 4:00 Kids’ games & activities, inflatables, dunk tank
1:00 Kids’ tractor races- awards given after
2:00 Live performance by HHS Marching Band
2:00-5:00 Cow Chip Bingo by HHS Performing Arts
3:00-4:00 Bingo under the entertainment tent
4:30 Watermelon Eating Contest sponsored by the United Methodist Women
5:00-9:00 Food Trucks
5:00- 7:00 Live music by The Junior Eagles
8:00 Raffle Winners Drawn in Beer Tent 1st: $250, 2nd: $100, 3rd: $50
8:00-11:00 Live music by Nickel & Dimes
*Food & Beverages available all day!
*Beer Tent is 21+ only after 9pm

The post The tradition of Broadlands Homecoming continues this weekend first appeared on SJO Daily.