The school year is winding down and the 58th Annual One Niter at Carmi White County High School is in the books. For first year director Grace Sinclair, it was a rousing success.
“It feels really nice. The kids deserve it. They have put so much work into this and to see them reap the rewards of an appreciative audience…that’s the most I could ask for.”
Sinclair says she doesn’t have to recruit kids to take part in the One Niter. A love of the arts starts early and by the time they’re in high school, it’s just about encouraging and focus.
“5th grade is when we start with band and choir recruitment, but otherwise it’s just letting the students find out what they like on their own. And once they find their niche, all I really have to do is give them encouragement and be their biggest cheerleader as they figure out who they are and what they like to do and their main interests. So just being their biggest cheerleader is how I keep them involved.”
Sinclair, a 2018 CWCHS graduate herself has performed in scores of productions, but there’s something about the One Niter.
“There’s something special about each and every one of them that make them individually unique, but honestly the One Niter has my heart. It’s a chance for the people who didn’t want to get on stage for a drama production or didn’t feel as comfortable doing something like this to get out of their comfort zone and be supported by everybody else. I did them when I was in high school. I was an emcee my senior year. So truly now all the memories that I have of the One Niter I’m getting to continue now with a tradition of my own now.”
Her love of the arts is infectious, and she quickly endeared herself to her students. Mackenzie Pringle, a senior at CWCHS says this was her third One Niter, but this year’s was definitely her favorite. Classmates Kyler Fisher and Laney York agreed this year’s show was great despite some rough practices leading up to the performances and it being hectic backstage at times. Carmi-White County graduation is next Tuesday, May 16th.
