The fall is full of SO many engagement sessions, so I am really excited to share these occasional seniors in there!  Dennis is another one of my own, but with a slightly different story.  As the high school choir director for 8 years, I spent 4 years with most of my students super connected in schedule and heart to them.  But typically not more, because I just taught at the HS.  However, my second year in, I directed The Wizard of Oz (featuring many of the faces you have seen here recently!), and we used 3rd and 4th graders as the munchkins in the show.  And this one? He was in my lollipop guild!!  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, youtube it now (but imagine adorable elementary students!)!  Then just 2 years later, I got to vocal direct him in a community theatre show at the Springfield Muni, one of my most special directing opportunities to this point.  And then eventually, many years later that flew by in the blink of an eye, he was in my classroom! And I have watched him grow and blossom so much since, as a student, performer, and person.  That is what I loved, and still love because I am still directing shows there, about teaching.  Watching the growth and change. Dennis demonstrates that so much!

Dennis does a really great serious face as you will see on the right…but I just can’t get over the dimples, so we mostly just smiled 🙂 He is just the NICEST young man- and you can see it! Love these! We ended at a place that holds many of Dennis’ favorite memories, a church camp that he spends a lot of time at each year.  It was so fun for me to see this place he has been telling me about for so long!!! He is so in his element there. 🙂 These were flying overhead…so beautiful! Yay!!! One of my favorite parts of sessions with “my” kids! Dennis, I am so proud of the young man you have grown into and SO excited for one last (for now!) show together this spring!!! Hope you love these favorites- full gallery coming soon!