During their sixth grade year, many of the 2024 show choir seniors participated in a Scooby Doo themed show. Performed by Grand Entrance, the 6th grade show choir at Elkhorn Grandview Middle school, the show marked the beginning of their show choir careers which helped spark a love for the performing arts.
In July 2023, seven years later, the adrENaline show choir announced that their very first character show would be called Scooby Doo. This means that the class of 2024’s first show theme would also be their last.
“Honestly, it makes it feel like a fever dream,” Senior Kate Wagner said, “It feels like I’m back in 6th grade, but then at the same time, it’s such a different group from back then.”
Many of the seniors in adrENaline, including senior Kate Wagner, who plays the role of Scooby in Scooby Doo, participated in the show their sixth grade year as well, and saw this year’s show as an opportunity to track their growth.
“I think it’s really cool to start and end my show choir career this way.” Senior Isabel Warren said, “It’s been really fun to see how much I’ve improved by doing the same show, beginning and ending.”
The year’s show follows the story of the Scooby Doo gang, which features senior Kate Wagner as Scooby Doo, senior Jayse Munter as Fred, senior Austin Allen as Shaggy, junior Amina Teri as Velma, and sophomore Audra Brabec as Daphne. The gang is trying to defeat Mr. Pinstripe suit, played by freshman Will Swagler, and save the rest of the choir from his mind control.
Since they started in 6th grade, many of the seniors have grown throughout their show choir careers, and have taken up roles of responsibility to lead and include the underclassmen.
“I think we’ve definitely brought a form of leadership that has been different from past years, because we are able to have fun with them, but they also know that when we are serious we need to be serious.” Wagner said, “We have also been good with getting to know the underclassmen, and we make sure that they are included and that they understand that they play as important of a role as we do.”
Wagner, who has been involved in show choir for the past 7 years, has helped make sure the show choir environment remains a fun, safe space with her positive attitude and drive to make sure everyone feels welcome.
“Every rehearsal I walk in the door and her smile and laughter just makes the environment so much more positive, and just happy overall.” senior Emma Willcoxon said.
Wagner has also proven to be a good leader to many of the underclassmen as well, making sure everyone is able to understand the material and knows what to do.
“She’s always willing to help somebody, and even if she’s not for sure of something, she´ll help you get it until you understand.” Junior Maddy Tillman said, “As a lead, everyone already looked up to her, but then they just got to see just how great of a person she really is.”
Tillman, who has been in show choir with Kate for the last three years, was Kate’s “Little,” last year. In show choir, an upperclassmen member is assigned an underclassmen to mentor, or help along the way as they navigate through high school show choir. This also provides a chance for the two groups to bond, and help create a more welcoming environment.
“Since day one, she’s been so welcoming.” Tillman said, ¨She’s super kind to everybody and there’s never any negativity from her.”
Since Wagner´s start in show choir in 6th grade, she has grown in both her onstage performance and her leadership and inclusivity offstage.
“She has obviously grown as a performer, and she has always been really comfortable onstage.” Choir director Casey Allen said, “But her leadership skills offstage, and the way that she interacts with and engages with the whole group and makes everyone feel safe in our group is one of her biggest strengths.”
As their senior year slowly comes to an end, many seniors are saying goodbye to show choir.
“It’s been my favorite thing I’ve ever done, so I’m sad it’s over but I’m very grateful for the memories.” senior Ava Johnson said.
