Blundering Backstage

Actors and actresses rush around backstage in a frantic whirl.  Stopping only to fix a jilted costume or brush away a stray hair, the cast of Harvey prepares for opening night.

Luckily for them, most of the preparation has already been completed.  “I feel like the director is really good at telling you what to do and exactly where to go,” said Carmen Krebs (Myrtle Mae Simmons). “It really impacts the way you see yourself as an actor and the way you actually come out and act with it.”

Harvey, a tale about Uncle Elwood whose family attempts to commit him to a sanitarium, has been rehearsed consistently for over a month.  “Sometimes the cast gets overwhelmed and starts freaking out a little bit,” said Jade Roeder (Ruth Kelly), “but we always work it out.”

No matter the setbacks, the play has definitely been a positive experience for all cast members.  “I love the cast.  Everybody is awesome.  That’s for real!” said Bryan Raiton (Dr. Chumley), “That’s the truth!”  Krebs agrees, “we fight, but we all love each other.”

Now the cast must rejoin and put all those rehearsals to good use.  It’s six o’clock: one hour until opening night.

The Curtain Opens

Seven o’clock.  The lights brighten and the audience hushes.  Bailey McAden (Veta Louise Simmons) steps onto the stage and picks up the ringing telephone.  Harvey has begun.

“I have such butterflies in my stomach,” said McAden, “but I’m really excited at the same time.”

As the play unraveled each cast member worked hard to stay in character.  Krebs acts the role of “Myrtle Mae Simmons, and, well, she’s kind of awkward, and can’t get a man! And I don’t really know how to be with men, so it’s just really awkward. And I guess I relate to that because I’m socially awkward sometimes.”

Raiton also kept a close connection with his character: Dr. Chumley.  “Well, my character is quite crazy towards the end, and I myself am pretty crazy,” laughed Raiton, “So that’s a good relation.”

Other cast members have more difficulty relating.  “My character, Kelly, is a nurse slash receptionist,” confided Roeder.  “I don’t really have much of a connection to her. She’s kinda funny, ditsy.”

But perhaps the most difficult position of all is that of the main character.  Michael Mazzella (Elwood P. Dowd) put a lot of focus into visualizing his imaginary friend Harvey.  Having distinct conversations with an invisible rabbit provides a unique challenge.  “I was really just trying to picture Harvey, and thinking about what he would have said.  It was just really cool,” said Mazzella, “Even though he was imaginary, he really became part of the cast.”

Take a Bow

Grins spread rapidly across the exhausted features of the cast.  They relax from the bows, relishing in the triumph of a successful opening night.

“It went really well!” said McAden, “We were really nervous because it was a little rough earlier today, but it came together really nicely.”

Looking back on the performance, McAden readily replies that her favorite scene was “when Wilson [Joe Mascort] carries me on his back! It’s just a lot of fun, and I get to slap him, and that’s always fun.”

The whole show got a lot of laughs and smiles.    “I think we got a lot more audience reaction than we anticipated,” said Mazzella, “It was great.”  The contorted plots and piles of jokes made it an enjoyable night for everyone.

The cast of Harvey fought through to well-deserved applause.  The phenomenal performance was an immediate hit.  Krebs said, “I just think we have a great cast that really pulls it together in the end.”

“Desert Vista inspires a community of learning by demonstrating excellence in academics, arts and extra-curricular activities.”

Vision Statement

“We strive for excellence by engaging our community, promoting accountability, fostering responsibility, and encouraging lifelong learning.”

September 20, 2010,

Here I sit in the San Antonio, Texas airport waiting to board my plane.  I left Phoenix Wednesday night to observe my oldest son’s Air Force basic military training graduation ceremonies this past Thursday and Friday.  Yes, you guessed it; it is hard to leave Avory here in Texas, but I am excited about his career choice and the path that he is blessed to pursue.  He will be attending Fire Science Tech School at Good Fellow Air Force Base here in Texas.  I love my new airman so much!

As I mentioned last week, today I can share with you the names of the 21 National Merit Semifinalists from Desert Vista High School.  In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. To ensure that academically talented young people from all parts of the United States are included in this talent pool, Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state.  Approximately 15,000 Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of all the high school seniors in the United States, will advance to Finalist standing, and of those, approximately 8,200 will be named as winners of scholarships.  Winners are then eligible to receive a variety of scholarships from the program or university they will attend.  Last year all 20 of Desert Vista’s Semifinalists became National Merit Finalists.  This year’s 21 Semi-finalists are the most in the history of our school! Desert Vista has the highest number of National Merit Semifinalists from one high school in the state of Arizona, and this includes private schools. Our honorees include the following students: Michelle M. Arnold; Priyanka V. Atreya; Rudy Chen; Benjamin A. Click; Cody C. Frear; Madeline K. Gilbert; David A. Kaptur; Clayton R. Lanham; Karl M. Leclerc; Timothy Y. Lee; Ryan A. Maack; Tyler T. Miyasaki; Anita L. Nath; Alisa J. Partlan; Amy L. Pitman; Anna Quian; Jason M. Smith; Jordan Spurlin; Ashley Swazey; Nicholas R. Topping; and Cheyenne Ullrich.  Congratulations to all of you!

Last week, both Channel 15 and Channel 12 filmed segments about perfect SAT scores; I sentyou the link to the Channel 12 story last week.  DV has led the state with the number of students receiving perfect SAT scores every year in the area of Math.  We have had perfect performances in Critical Reading and Writing, as well.  Our very own Larry Strom, chair of our Math Department, and several of our students were interviewed by Channel 15.  Here is the link if you would like to check out the ABC15 story:  http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/state/az%27s-sat-scores-above-nat%27l-avg

Our 60-member Girls Cross Country team competed last week in the Ojo Rojo Cross Country Meet in Chandler.  Some of the best programs in the East Valley participated, and our girls were the champions.  Way to go, Lady Thunder CC!

Other DV sports teams were also busy with competitions.  Our Swim and Dive team remains undefeated; they were victorious over Corona del Sol High School last week.  Our Girls Badminton program was unbelievable last week.  Before departing for Texas I was privileged to see them defeat Gilbert.  The Girls Volleyball team split last week, defeating Perry H.S. and losing to Chaparral H.S.  The football program provided great entertainment for the entire Ahwatukee community this past week with games against local rival Mountain Pointe.  The Freshman “A” and Varsity teams lost close battles, however, the JV football team handed Mountain Pointe a defeat last Thursday.  Keep up the hard work ladies and gentlemen; we are proud of you!

Our security is doing a fabulous job serving everyone in the Desert Vista family.  We have strategically asked each security staff to greet our customers as they enter our campus throughout the day.  We value customer service to our community and it is our desire to direct you to the proper area so that you may expeditiously take care of your important matters at Desert Vista High School.  This strategy will allow us to assist you in meeting your needs while continuing to maintain a safe campus. Please stop at the front entrance when the office is open for important information.  Additionally, please exercise caution as you drive through the intersection of 32nd and Liberty Lane, as well as the surrounding areas, as the secondary schools do not have crossing guards.  In the past we have been able to rely on the Kyrene School District crossing guards, but they are no longer provided in this area.

This week the DVHS Drama program will present the play The Doctor In Spite of Himself. Wednesday and Thursday performances will be at 7 pm, and the final performance will be on Friday at 4:00 pm, all in the Black Box Theatre.  Come out and bring the family; you will not be disappointed!

I truly appreciate you reading my messages each week.  I enjoy writing to you.  Please know that Desert Vista High School utilizes a variety of publications to recognize students and staff and keep you informed.  This mode is only one.  I am definitely not a reporter, but I will continue to bring information to your attention as I receive it each week.  We all need affirmation of the many wonderful things that happen in our school.

“Give your All in All that you do.  When you need your BEST it will be there for you!”

Thank you, Thunder, for Rolling with Battle!

Dr. Anna Battle, Principal