Blinding spotlights, warm air and large audiences is what the stage felt like for Drew Kuntz, senior, when she had her first theatre performance in fourth-grade. Kuntz first discovered her love for theatre in fourth-grade, near when her spark for choir and band emerged. These passions didn’t just stop in fourth-grade, they blossomed through high school and hopefully through college.
She dedicated herself in theatre, choir, and band leading to her being a better performer. In choir she has been a section leader multiple times throughout high school choir. Her initiative and dedication stood out to her teachers, including choir teacher, Nick Juknelis.
“She always puts herself out there,” Juknelis said, “She always gives 100% and works hard whether she is the lead of the musical or in the ensemble.”
Kuntz has excelled through choir and she also has bettered herself in theatre. Being the drama club officer, she has achieved a lot in theatre. She has also met other amazing students, whether they’re underclassmen or upperclassmen, sharing the same passion as her.
“I think embracing diversity is important,” Kuntz said, “ And drama club for me is a space that is welcoming and diverse
Kuntz has surrounded herself with music and performing, not just through her extracurriculars but also in her friend group.Having a friend group with a similar interest like band has helped Kuntz as a band member playing the clarinet and the saxophone. As well as having a friend group with similar interests, she also immerses herself in classes relating to music.
While music and theatre captivate most of her time, she is also very involved in Spanish in our high school. She is the president of the Spanish club and has received the seal of biliteracy for Spanish. Spanish isn’t just a class for Kuntz, it’s something she plans to continue through college.
“I plan to study abroad,” Kuntz said, “Somewhere I can apply those language skills.”
While in high school her main focus is theatre and music, also being very accomplished in Spanish. She doesn’t plan to keep theatre and music as her top priority through college shifting her focus to another field.
“I’m going in as a psychology major, but I still don’t have anything decided yet,” Kuntz said, “I’m still deciding about a career, that’s why I’m looking at liberal arts schools.”
Recently, she committed to a small liberal arts college in western Michigan called Kalamazoo College. She plans to study psychology and take writing classes. Although theatre isn’t going to be her main focus at college, she still plans to continue with it.
“I definitely want to be involved in theatre in college because it was such a big part of my high school experience and shaped me as a person,” Kuntz said.
Her many experiences in theatre, choir, band and other activities in high school led to her confidence in performing and as a person to grow. Now a graduating senior, Kuntz is taking her passions that flourished in fourth-grade to a new stage: Kalamazoo College.