ROCK HALL — Kent County Public Schools teachers and staff who led the production of “The Lion King Jr.” musical at Kent County High School are the recipients of this month’s Golden Anchor Award.
Lori Armstrong, Jodi Bortz, Anna Lill, Noel Morris, William Poore, Stephanie Spencer and Kaitlyn Wright received their awards from the Kent County Board of Education at the Monday, March 10 meeting.
The Golden Anchor Award is presented each month to staff members or groups of employees who exemplify the mission and core values of the school system.
“Kent County Public Schools is an anchor organization that creates an environment of academic excellence through a collaborative, equitable and rigorous learning community,” the mission statement reads.
Nominations may be submitted by Kent County Public Schools staff, parents and students.
This month’s honorees helmed the production of “The Lion King Jr.” that ran from Feb. 28 through March 2 in the Kent County High School auditorium. More than 1,000 people came to see the show that featured elementary, middle and high school students.
Armstrong and Wright served as directors, with Bortz as the musical director. Lill, Morris and Spencer helped with the production design and costuming. Poore led his Makerspace program students in creating 3-D printed masks.
“Their efforts extended beyond directing and coaching. They guided students in designing breathtaking puppets, masks and intricate set pieces, fostering both artistic and technical skills,” Kent County High School Principal Kris Hemstetter said in presenting the awards.
Hemstetter gave a special thank you to the Kent Cultural Alliance for its sponsorship of the production, and spoke about the importance of arts in education.
“We know that the research consistently shows that students achieve at higher levels when they are involved in the arts,” Hemstetter said. “The lessons learned through music, theater and visual arts — discipline, collaboration, competence and creativity — support success in all academic areas.”
She said the arts are “alive, progressing and growing” in Kent County Public Schools and the success of “The Lion King Jr.” is a testament to the “incredible talent, teamwork and commitment of everyone involved.”
