After my success with volunteering and helping out at GearUp Career Day, I was asked to volunteer as a judge for Business Week. I remember vaguely hearing about the program when I was in high school but I didn’t attend; now, it’s a requirement for all high school juniors in South Bend, Raymond, and Valley.

They mix up the students from the different schools and put them into groups. Each group undergoes a computer simulation of a business/company and they track the progress, changes and trends over 8 quarters. At the end of the week, they report their findings to a panel of judges, which are looking for a thorough understanding of the material, professionalism, and team participation.

The judges are also involved as “investors” in the tradeshow. Each team creates a product to market and sell. I really enjoyed this part; I was given fake money and roamed around the room while the students hit me with their best pitches. Some of my favorite products included a pillow that records your dreams, solar paneled windows that provide electricity for your house, and a tankless underwater breathing mask. I’d definitely be a judge again!

The Willapa Players convinced me to do another play. I was a bit skeptical of my abilities at first (the role was really large!) but I’m really glad I stuck with it. I learned a lot about acting from the director, Heidi, and I think my skills are definitely improving.

We performed the play in the style of “modified reader’s theater”, meaning we had our scripts on stage the whole time but had our lines mainly memorized. Actions and props were limited, but still included and the set was sparse to convey a dreamy state “reality”.

Crime of the Heart is a Pulitzer Prize winner by Beth Henley. The play was also made into a movie. The story focuses on 3 sisters from the small town of Hazelhurst, Mississippi as they try to deal with family drama in a comedic and refreshing way.

Overall, the play was very successful and the crowds were very supportive and encouraging. They claimed that our sisterly dynamic was very natural and believable. Our director took a risk with this type of production in our small town and I was very pleased to see it be so successful.

This was the full cast of 6 and our amazing crew!

From left to right – Back row: Jason Nelson (Barnette Lloyd), Curt Harris (Lights and Sound), Heidi Stonebraker (Chick Boyle & Director!), Scott Cowell (Doc Porter), Me (Meg Magrath), Linda Anderson (Assistant Director)
Front row: Alex Ingram (Babe Botrelle), Gracie Manlow (Lenny Magrath), Sindy Theofelis (Stage Manager), Chloe Crane (Assistant to Stage Manager)

We received many compliments on the play poster. It was a great idea to have our picture on the front. 🙂

POWFEST (Portland, Oregon Women’s Film Festival) was a significant event that I attended in March. It was a really neat festival and I highly recommend it to people for future attendance!

I entered both my animation, The Shoes and my master’s thesis Auntie Sue into the festival. Unfortunately, neither film was selected, but I was offered a complimentary all-access pass to the event in Portland. I have never heard of a festival that offers a completely free pass to an entrant whose film was not accepted; I’m still amazed and thankful for the opportunity to attend.

My boyfriend was able to purchase a pass to come along with me and together we really enjoyed the 4 days of screenings, events and free Luna bars. It was great to see films in a festival setting again and to listen to the directors speak about their film journeys. The kindness and generosity at the festival was immense and I was very inspired and encouraged.

To learn more about Powfest and the “Power of Women in Film”, feel free to check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Womens-Film-Festival-aka-POW-Fest/90277399535?ref=br_tf