Bethel Middle School families and members of the community enjoyed an exciting performance of Seussical Jr. based on the works of Dr. Seuss on November 13 and November 14 at the Bethel Auditorium. This is only the second year junior high students have put on a musical production. Under the direction of elementary school music teacher, Lara Wolford and Bethel alum, Catie Rash, the colorful, 51-student cast sang and danced to long-loved musical pieces like “Oh the Things You Can Think” and “It’s Possible” among many others. Energetic students performed to capacity crowds on Friday and Saturday. Especially memorable characters included The Cat in the Hat, Horton, Mayzie LaBird, and Jojo who interpreted their roles with enthusiasm and excellence. The themes of the musical included popular Dr. Seuss messages concerning imagination, faithfulness, and friendship. According to Wolford, these musicals have been specially designed to be student led. The lights and sound are run by high school students who facilitate the training of their middle school counterparts. Even the sets and props of Seussical Jr. were made by the students. “When I first began teaching here 4 years ago, I was very vocal about the fact that I wanted to start a junior high musical,” Wolford said. “I’d been in junior high musicals growing up and I thought that it was very important that this age have something like this to do.” Wolford sees the middle school musicals giving students an edge in areas of self-confidence, teamwork, and dedication. The students have been rehearsing three days a week since Labor Day and Wolford even took individual time with many of the students to help encourage and teach them in their individual roles. “It’s a joy to watch the kids grow into themselves through these productions,” Wolford said. “Middle school is a very hard, awkward stage of life and this is such a wonderful opportunity for some of those kids to try something new and just be the person they’ve always wanted to be.” Wolford went on to say that the unofficial motto for the cast and crew of the musical was first stated by a student during rehearsal who said, “Be the person you’ve always wanted to be.” Bethel alum, Catie Rash, sees this performance as preparation for students who may want to participate in musicals at the high school level. “It’s so much fun and these kids are going to know what it takes to put on a production,” Rash said. “When they get to the high school, they will be more familiar with it and it will make a more seamless transition.” Wolford and Rash especially appreciated the support and encouragement from parents and the community through the process of putting together the musical. All the costumes, hair designs, and make-up work were done by diligent parents and family members. In addition, food preparation and transportation to rehearsals were all necessary components that facilitated each child’s involvement. “We couldn’t have done this without the help of parents who believed in us,” Wolford said. “And the community has been so supportive to come out and fill the auditorium. We feel like every part of this undertaking has been truly successful.”