PIRATE PRESS othspiratepress.com
November 2023
Vol. 10, Issue 2
The Stars of the Stage Junior Maddie Kerestes
The deep and disturbing history of Ottawa is coming to life by the shining stars of the drama department in their enactment of the story of the Ottawa Radium Girls. The fall play, âThese Shining Livesâ by Melanie Marnich is made up of a small cast of 14 students who perform a historical fiction adaptation of what it was like to be a radium girl in the city of Ottawa. The play is narrated by the character Catherine Donahue, played by junior Sadie Johnson, and follows the story of four main characters who work at the Radium Dial Company. After their employers put the womenâs health at risk to paint the dials of clocks using a radium compound to make the paint glow, the women file a lawsuit against the Radium Dial Company. With Catherine Donahue pursuing the case as lead plaintiff, the women won. Junior Molly Ewen says, âThis story is an important part of our history that is often overlooked and the chance to tell the story of these brave women is an inspiring opportunity.â This poignant story of the perseverance of Ottawaâs women was chosen to be the fall play by new director Susan Walters. The drama department transitioned to Walters as their new director this past year, and according to junior Sadie Johnson, âItâs going very well with the new director, and Iâm excited for the future of the program.â The performance of âThese Shining Livesâ will take place in the auditorium on Nov. 17 and 18.
Haunted Camp
Sophomore Brooklyn Byone Beware Campers. Camp Tuckabatchee has hosted a successful haunted camp for over 35 years. The haunted camp is a fundraiser, and the proceeds go into their summer camp program. This camp is an amazing opportunity for volunteer work for students, such as junior Ava Wagner. Her favorite part is creating a fun environment for the kids. To get involved send a message to their Facebook page. Photo Credit: Camp Tuckabatchee Facebook page
Work hard, play hard. Cast members of the fall play are seen conversing with director Susan Waters and other cast members during one of their rehearsals. The students have been rehearsing almost every day after school in preparation for their performance.