Otselic Valley recently welcomed actors/singers from The Rev Theatre Company for a powerful and inspiring performance of Echoes, a one-of-a-kind show based entirely on original writing by middle school students across New York State, including several of our very own OV students.
Prior to the performance, OV students participated in a classroom writing workshop led by visiting actors from The Rev. Over the following weeks, they submitted original poems, songs, stories, and skits as part of the Echoes program -- one of the largest middle school writing competitions in the country, which receives up to 4,000 submissions each year.
From these submissions, dozens of student pieces are selected and transformed into a dynamic 50-minute live production, brought to life with costumes, props, musical instruments, and a variety of characters ranging from funny to heartfelt. Each participating school is guaranteed at least one student voice featured in the final show, making Echoes a truly personal experience.
The show at OV, performed by Rev cast members Brooke, Josh, Chandler, Sophia, and Reilly, was both entertaining and moving. Following the performance, a special awards ceremony was held to honor our talented young writers:
Honorable Mentions
• Jacob Wilbur – “Antony 1/18/1999”
• Luke Doroshenko & Blake Marshall – “Trapping”Excellence in Writing Awards
• Liliana Gomez, Teagon Schlag, Eleanor Swayze-Epolito & Bruce Shoemaker – “Tale of the Book”Showcased Author Award
• Garrett Lidell – “Garden Apocalypse” (featured in the live performance)
We are incredibly proud of our students for their creativity, effort, and storytelling. Events like this highlight the importance of giving students a platform to express themselves and be heard.
A heartfelt thank you to The Rev Theatre Company and the Echoes team for bringing this unforgettable opportunity to our school and for celebrating student voices in such a meaningful way.