Students inspired, challenged working on school play

Audiences in the Como Auditorium were treated to three entertaining performances of “The Jungle Book” during mid-March. English teachers Suzie Myhre and Michael Youle-Ellering were co-directors of the annual spring play.

Choir teacher Huy Tran served as the play’s technical director and was inspired by the experience. “Many students took on new challenges that they never faced before, and others displayed leadership skills by mentoring newer performers and crew,” Tran said. 

Cast members included Charlie Ernst, Koda Karan, Liam Donegan, Lillian Mae, Jonathan Newman, Lucia Rossell, Roman Rivers, Genevieve DeGaetano, Mitch Pelzer, Mykah Brooks, Zachary Prince, Gaosue Vue, Nia Tenbrook, and Klay (Kim) Paw. 

Stage manager Freddy Gray led the crew consisting of Clara Dunne, Lila Kopp, Bean Bougie, Millie Huth, Alex Buhr, Levi Kallhoff, Allison Yang, Charlie McCabe, Charlie Dahl, Art Batica, Sofie Hobson, and Gen Meyer.

 

Twenty-nine seniors currently studying AP Government and AP Economics recently spent a week in Washington D.C. as part of the national Close Up program. 

Como student highlights included study visits to national monuments and memorials including Jefferson, FDR, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lincoln, World War II, Vietnam, and Korea. There were also study visits to museums of the Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery, and different Washington D.C. neighborhoods.

On Wednesday, March 6, Como students visited Capitol Hill for an unforgettable day. They observed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee discuss federal initiatives regarding sustainability and recycling. A swing by the office of Senator Bernie Sanders resulted in a photo with the popular 2020 presidential candidate. 

Senator Tina Smith hosted the Como students outside her office for an engaging 20-minute meeting with student-generated questions. Senator Cory Booker also greeted the group and took a selfie with the Como contingent. 

From those highlights all occurring in the Senate’s Hart Office Building, the group was escorted into the U.S. Capitol by Amy Klobuchar’s staff for a 20-minute meeting with Minnesota’s senior senator. Klobuchar provided insight into legislation she’s currently sponsoring, discussed the political landscape that Congress is navigating, and answered student questions.

After a lecture in the Supreme Court Chamber, Congresswoman Betty McCollum provided students information about the budget and her views on Israel and Gaza. Then students witnessed the entire House of Representatives vote on six bills to continue funding the federal government.

 

Eleventh grade U.S. History students who represented Como at the St. Paul Regional History Day on March 16 advanced to Minnesota History Day.

Abas Kawo and Felmata Obsa qualified for state in the Group Documentary category for their film “Harka Fi Harma Muraa Anolee,” about the oppressive rule of the Ethiopian Emperor Menelik in the late 1800s-early 1900s.

Devin Fruen advanced to state in the Individual Exhibit category “Exploring Counterculture History: Analysis of Punk and Hardcore and their Impact.”

All regional qualifiers will gather for Minnesota State History Day on April 20 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.