Jill Chauvin ‘22 was a theatre standout during her time at WCS. It is no surprise that she is now showcasing her abilities on the professional stage. Jill made her professional stage managing debut with the prestigious 4th Wall Theatre Company. From Thursday, July 21 to Saturday, July 23rd, the 4th Wall Theatre Company presents the Summer Shakes Showcase production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Summer Shakes is a rigorous Shakespearean actor training program hosted by 4th Wall Theatre. The Program Director, Philip Lehl, is also the Artistic Director of 4th Wall and alumnus of Juilliard. The Summer Shakes Showcase features performances of students from the Juilliard Drama School and Houston-area high schools. “Jill has earned this opportunity through years of hard work and dedication.” says Mr. Ronnie Blaine, WCS Theatre Director.
If you would like to support Jill, 4th Wall Theatre show times are July 21 at 7:30PM, July 22 at 7:30PM, July 23 at 7:30PM. You can purchase tickets here: https://houston.culturemap.com/eventdetail/4th-wall-theatre-company-shakespeare-twelfth-night/
CHAUVIN AT WCS
“When you graduate big leaders, you always wonder ‘Am I ever going to get that again?’ or ‘Who is going to be in the pipeline to fill those shoes?” says Mr. Ronnie Blaine, WCS Theatre Director. Jill Chauvin was the answer to his question. She joined the theatre program at Westbury Christian School (WCS) when notable WCS Fine Arts alumni such as Victoria Tillman ‘20, Madison White ‘20, Aliya Robertson ‘20 and Andrew Archer ‘20 performed. While most students would have been intimidated by these stellar performers, Jill spent her time learning from them. Today, she is showcasing all that she has mastered from WCS alums and her teachers.
Jill initiated the conversations with Mr. Blaine to learn more about set design. At first, she was amazed that set design was a role in theatre. She became curious and wanted to learn how she could incorporate her passion for art in theatre.
“I have always been passionate about art. I remember in elementary school that art was my favorite subject,” Jill recalls. “My dad is the main person who influenced me to be in art. He always took me to Hobby Lobby to get sketchbooks or new colored pencils for Christmas.”
For the production of Little Women during her senior year, Jill was truly the visionary behind the scenes. Mr. Blaine refers to her as the “Swiss army knife” to the theatre department.
“She designs sets, she paints the sets, she is the stage manager, and she wants to learn more about stagecraft and building. She has light and sound design in her too. The biggest thing she does is the glue. She is organized and on task. She even keeps me on task,” says Mr. Blaine.
Jill enjoys the challenge of being a leader for WCS performances, and the responsibility is great. “I am in charge of how the set looks and everything, which in my opinion is my favorite part, just the best part,” she adds with a smile. “As far as I know, Jill is the first person in school history from start to finish to complete a full set for a show.” says Mr. Blaine.
Besides designing theatre sets, Jill has also designed the programs and posters for multiple WCS theatre productions the past few years. At the 2022 TAPPS 4A Art Contest, Jill received multiple awards for her graphic design pieces.
“I admit: freshman year I took the Stage Crew class because I didn’t know what else to take,” says Jill. “The Addams Family was my first and favorite production. I loved it. I decided to join every single one that I could after that experience.” What was once an unintentional course enrollment became the trek for her future.
“I now plan to study Graphic Design and go to University of Houston to become part of the theatre program there.”
Mr. Blaine hopes to hire Jill in the future for every theatre production. “God willing, I really am going to hire her to be our stage manager in the future. She is that gifted.”
At WCS, we don’t emphasize a day of service with our students, but rather live lives of service.
A beloved annual fundraising drive to benefit Mission Lazarus and Hope for Haiti’s Children continues for its 24th year at WCS. During the spring semester, students from kindergarten to seniors in high school, collected spare change in water bottles to benefit underprivileged orphans. The 2022 collection included donations collected in 2020 and 2021. “What makes this project extra special is that every penny has been counted for 24 years by the students and goes straight to the charities, ” says Coach Steve Hawley, leader of the project. “We don’t take it to a change machine, we don’t bring in outsiders,100% goes straight to the charity.” This project is completely voluntary for WCS students and families. They are not required to participate. Each year students are excited for the distribution of the water bottles.
HISTORY
Westbury Christian Middle School and High School Bible Teacher and Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, Steve Hawley spearheads the spring long collection. While the project has continued for 24 years at Westbury Christian, the project originated in Lebanon, Tennessee at Friendship Christian School in 1995 with Coach Hawley.
Honduras is a special place in Coach Hawley’s heart. His first mission trip to Honduras occurred in July 1998, a month before his arrival at WCS. A few months later in October 1998, Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras. Coach Hawley felt compelled to act and serve. Previously at Friendship Christian School, Coach Hawley and a fellow teacher and cheerleading coach initiated the project. After a successful collection in its first year, Coach Hawley recognized there was still work to do. Year after year, Coach Hawley shared the mission of Mission Lazarus and Hope for Haiti’s Children and encouraged participation. He brought the project with him to WCS. Coach Hawley and the former WCS football coach, Chris O’Neal, searched through trash cans to find empty Powerade bottles to pass out to students to collect change. In an attempt to be resourceful, Coach Hawley wrote to Powerade to provide bottles for the fundraiser. Powerade generously donated 600 bottles for WCS students to collect change for Honduras for the 2000-2001 school year. In 2002, a WCS family bought the bottles for WCS students, which included the WCS crest, Mission Lazarus and Hope for Haiti’s Childrens logos. This family has continued to supply WCS students with water bottles for the past twenty years. Coach Hawley’s room has all 20 water bottles on display for all to see.
MISSION LAZARUS AND HOPE FOR HAITI’S CHILDREN
The funds raised at WCS provides support to two nonprofit Christian organizations: Mission Lazarus, a holistic ministry focused on community development in Honduras and Haiti through spiritual, educational, medical and agricultural outreaches; and Hope for Haiti’s Children, which utilizes in-country educators and professionals to nurture, educate and train poverty-bound Haitian children to become spiritual leaders. This year, WCS has chosen to support the Hope for Haiti’s Children school lunch program. Coach Hawley has visited a few of the schools on his past mission trips. “The children at these schools are fed lunch every day. For some kids, this is the only meal they will get.” says Coach Hawley “So it is vital they get some nutrition everyday.” says Coach Hawley. Mission Lazarus has not shared what they plan to do with the funds yet. In the past, our donation has helped supply a pick up truck or any community needs. This school year, the total donation was $11,740 with two checks split to each organization. “The thing I am most…I hate to use the word proud… but the thing I am most proud of as a teacher and a coach is that we’ve been able to keep this project going for 24 years.” says Coach Hawley.
Every day that school is in session, our faculty—the teachers, coaches, staff, and leaders at Westbury Christian—come eager and ready to encourage and inspire our students to learn and grow. The lessons and activities that our students experience each day exist because of the diligent efforts of our faculty. Through the course of the year, they continue to grow as professionals and demonstrate a passion for our school and Wildcats.
Ms. Lund, high school Spanish teacher, completed her Master of Science degree in Learning, Technology and Design from HBU this spring. She is our most recent faculty member to complete her graduate degree, joining 15 of our faculty with advance degrees. She also inspires the four other faculty members currently completing a M.Ed. program.
Mrs. Sandahl, school receptionist, celebrates 45 years at the school this May. During that time, she’s done everything from welcoming guests to Mundy Hall to teaching preschool classes. It’s a milestone worth celebrating, but rest assured she will be back for Year 46 this fall. Mr. Ramirez also celebrates a big milestone this spring—30 years serving at WCS. He also will continue to serve next year, but we couldn’t be more grateful for his work and talents the past three decades!
We celebrate a lot of milestones at our final faculty luncheon at the end of the school year and recognize many individuals for their years of service. Mrs. Adams (25 years) and Mrs. Keese (20 years) join the “20+ Club” this spring. Their commitment to our students over the years has made a lasting impact on the school. The average tenure is 10 years at WCS, a reflection of the passionate commitment to the school and Christian education.
We are also celebrating our Teachers and Coaches of the Year. In Lower School, Mrs. Reynolds (Kinder/First) was recognized as the award winner. Mrs. Archer noted that “She is a woman of tremendous faith, who constantly prays for her students, fellow teachers, the administration, and the school at large. Mrs. Reynolds shows a deep love for all her students, and they love her in return, as evidenced by the never-ending hugs she receives each day.” Mrs. Reynolds was joined by Coach Okwuonu (HS Science/Bible) who was recognized as both the Upper School Teacher of the Year and the Middle School Coach of the Year. “His uplifting spirit is such an inspiration and he pushes us to be the best we can be,” says upperclassman Joey C. “He starts every day asking us to say good things, and we end by saying the words ‘We are special.’ No matter how bad of a day someone can be having, every time they leave his class they leave with a smile on their face.”
Their work in the classroom mirrored the work of Coach Chance, who was recognized as our High School Coach of the Year. Not only does she inspire many of our students to participate in different athletic activities and successfully lead our volleyball and soccer teams, she also regularly volunteers to support our fine arts events and other activities on campus. “Coach Chance is the model Westbury Christian Coach. She is a great leader who coaches with great love, character and consistency. Coach Chance has the gift to develop new players as well as the discipline to stretch the more advanced athlete. Coach Chance is an example of the impact that coaches have on student-athletes.” says Athletic Director, Coach Carr.
We are grateful for all 65 of our faculty and staff members and the way they impact our campus, and we look forward to partnering with our families for another school year this fall.
Mrs. Sandahl
