Starring Seniors discuss behind the scenes of Senior Benefit 2017
Senior Benefit, originally established in 1979 as a yearly fundraiser for yearbook and prom, showcased its 47th show January 25th-28th with afterschool shows every day and two in-school performances. This year’s production of Senior Benefit was led by the senior class sponsors: HC Spanish teacher Mary Haley, HC Science teachers Summer Patterson and Becky Riley. The 2017 cast consisted of 29 members, including 6 MCs and 6 tech crew members.
Interested senior students were encouraged to come to the first meeting to introduce themselves in November, with the planning process gradually building steam throughout December.
“The first day we all sat in a circle and said something about ourselves,” said HC Senior Taylor Smith, “and then just started throwing out random ideas until we found one that we all liked, even when you find that one skit you have to script it and make it funny.”
The planning process allows every participating member to brainstorm, script, and present certain ideas to the group in order to earn approval. Not all of the skits were approved, some were tweaked to improve them and make sure the jokes were to the peak of their potential.
“We’ve all put in a lot of effort,” HC Senior Mackenzie Ragland said. “That’s why we’re so attached to this show,”
Practices took place after school nearly every day during January, altering skits and switching them out with others to the end. The hours they spent together formed a bond between the entire group.
“During Senior Benefit I definitely made friends with people I wouldn’t have talked to or known very well at the beginning of the year,” HC Senior Sophi Clarke said, “and the friends that I’ve made through senior benefit have been more substantial than friends that I’ve had all of high school.”
Senior Benefit has encouraged them to build relationships with peers throughout the entire process, the atmosphere of the group is very welcoming and friendly.
“Even when you aren’t performing in a skit it’s still so awesome to watch your friends go out and kill it and hear the audience laughing,” HC Senior Maddie Taylor said. “We all get so excited for each other.”
After several months of working with the same people, friendships were formed, which came in handy for those nervous about performing.
“I don’t care who you are,” HC senior Sophi Clarke said,” it really does help build your character, no matter how outgoing you are, performing in front of 380 of your peers is absolutely terrifying.”
While the performance was a frightening experience for some, many found enjoyment in the whole process.
“I realized that I have a blast making myself look like the most idiotic kid in Henry Clay,” HC senior and Senior Benefit MC Colin Glenn said.
The MCs are a select group of students who auditioned to open for the show with the traditional introduction video, and introduce, as well as act in, several of the acts. The MCs put in an extra day of practice per week, and are responsible for the creation of the introductory video and the theme of the video.
“Making the video was a lot of fun and that’s something the MC’s were only allowed to do,” HC senior and MC Abby Pearson said. “It’s probably one of my favorite memories from senior benefit.”
The efforts from every cast and crew member effectively contributed to the production of this show. Every person involved played a key role, whether on stage or behind the scenes.
“It would not be possible without our amazing tech crew Adam and Parker, our light people Zach and Jason, the props in the back with Elijah and Abena, and of course Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Patterson, and Mrs. Riley,” HC senior and MC Spencer Fenton-Wells said.
The tech crew, required for every practice a week before the first show, grasped their roles and responsibilities in the show. Everyone involved seemed to enjoy their parts in this years’ production, not only enjoying the success of ticket sales which would benefit prom, but the bonding experience they had with the cast.
“It is a great experience,” HC spanish teacher Mary Haley said, “and that’s mainly the reason I do it. It’s not simply to raise the money, it’s when I see all the fun they have and what a great bonding experience it is for everybody, it’s what really makes it worth it.”
The 2017 Senior Benefit cast and crew members: Patrick Anderson, Olivia Ault, Noah Beckett, Emma Bellomy, Josh Cagle, Sophi Clarke, Zack Dietterick, Spencer Fenton-Wells, Katherine Fish, Roshown Gateskill, Colin Glenn, Lauren Haga, Neil Evans Jikang, Parker Jones, Adam Koller, Maggie MacChesney, Jack May, Elijah Miller, Jacob Miller, Ben Morrice, Jason Morrice, Abena Ntodi, Deep Patel, Abby Pearson, Mackenzie Ragland, Cole Ralenkotter, Taylor Smith, Solomon Murray, and Maddie Taylor.