Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Eighth-grader Addie Dwyer has had the singing and acting bug since third grade. She brought her talents to Spring Forest Middle School (SFMS), where she participates in the choir and theater programs.

Her singing gifts, hard work, and perseverance earned her top roles in recent theater productions. "I have been in two Bobcat Playhouse shows, which include Moana Junior, where I played Moana, and Guys and Dolls, where I starred as Big Julie," Dwyer said.

This semester, she participated in Fall Into Theater and Spookfest, smaller shows the Playhouse featured around Halloween.

Awards for Excellence

In the SFMS choir program, directed by Emily Cheesman, one of Dwyer's favorite moments occurred when she and her peers celebrated top marks—ones—at a UIL competition. She has participated in the Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) choir solo contest all three years at SFMS and has received both Outstanding Performance and Superior ratings. As a seventh-grader, Dwyer also auditioned for the Region 27 elite choir and was selected for first chair among all the soprano 2 singers in the area.

"I love theater and choir so much because of the friends I’ve made along the way and my wonderful teachers, Mr. Harkins and Mrs. Cheesman," Dwyer said. "They inspired me so much to do what I do today."

One of her favorite activities in theater class is when students are assigned to write and perform their own scripts in front of their peers. "I enjoy this so much because I get to put a creative twist on what I perform," Dwyer said.

High Praise

Choir director Cheesman has high praise and gratitude for Addie Dwyer. "You can always depend on Addie," Cheesman said. "Even if she’s been under the weather, she presses on with a smile and a 'Can do' attitude. I would love to clone Addie and have 100 more in my choir, not only because of her talent, but also for her great energy and fantastic work ethic."

More Than Meets the Eye

Students who are active in Fine Arts programs in SBISD benefit in ways that go beyond the public-facing results of their efforts. Art, music, and theater teachers across the district are helping their students build confidence, stretch their horizons, discover creative solutions to roadblocks, understand the power of teamwork, and develop into well-rounded members of their current and future communities.

By participating in the performing arts at SFMS, Dwyer has matured and acquired more than just music and acting milestones. "I have learned to never back down from a challenge and to be myself," she said. "Theater and choir have taught me how to be a good leader in class and how to inspire and help others. In the future, I feel like the qualities I’ve learned in these two classes will help me communicate with others and be a leader wherever I go."

Choir and Theater Pipeline

Next year, Dwyer is slated to attend Stratford High School and plans to continue in the storied and award-winning choir and theater programs there. "I can’t wait to audition for the Stratford shows because they are very big productions," she said. "I plan on auditioning and working to someday maybe get a lead."

Longer-term goals for Dwyer include going to college to either get a degree in medical science or to continue her acting career.

"I know the communication and leadership skills I have developed will be helpful whenever I have to communicate with people in the medical field or, if one day I want to continue my acting, make it to a bigger stage like Broadway," said the aspiring eighth-grader.

A round of applause to Addie Dwyer for her enthusiastic and talented contributions to SBISD’s legacy of excellence in the Fine Arts arena.

#SBISDProud