Pictured from left to right on website cover photo: Miriam Brooks, Reece Perry, Emma Metzler, and Morgan Branconnier.
Four Franklin Academy seniors participated in their final musical with the Malone CSD during the performances of Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” March 20-22. Morgan Branconnier, Reece Perry, Miriam Brooks, and Emma Metzler completed their final curtain call as Mike Teavee, Willy Wonka, Mrs. Bucket, and Charlie, respectively.
The four students said they will cherish the memories they’ve made while being involved with the musicals as well as remember how special it is to be a part of the Malone CSD family. They also appreciate how engaging it is to be a part of the theater community.
“We make friends and become close with each other during rehearsals and the performances,” shared Morgan. “People you wouldn’t normally talk to, but once you do the musical you get really close.”
“It’s fun to dance and sing together,” Emma said. “It’s funny to see everyone because they’re actually being themselves. When you’re at school you don’t get to see that side of them.”
The students’ on-stage personas in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” don’t necessarily reflect their real-life personalities. For example, character Mike Teavee is bratty and rude towards people, but Morgan is the opposite; however, she finds it fun. Willy Wonka can be goofy and Reece likes to joke around. Reece does have a serious side to him; therefore, it depends on the day if he compares well to Mr. Wonka. Mrs. Bucket is different from Miriam because she’s a killjoy and she tries not to be that way all the time. Emma can relate to Charlie because he’s innocent and quiet, but also excited and looks on the bright side.
All of the seniors have participated in numerous musicals beginning in elementary school and coming up through high school. A couple favorites of the group included “Little Shop of Horrors” and “The Little Mermaid,” where Emma starred as Ariel.
As a freshman, Miriam also took part in “Once Upon a Mattress” at SUNY Potsdam, where she was the youngest cast member. It’s also fitting that her character for this spring’s musical at Malone was Mrs. Bucket because she was the oldest person in the cast of over 100 students ranging from grades 4-12.
In addition to their involvement in the musicals, all four of the seniors are active in numerous sports and other extracurricular activities that include cross country, track and field, volleyball, the Swinging Sounds (select choir), Rotary Interact, Student Council, French Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Jazz Band, and Epsilon and National Honor Societies.
“I’m involved with a lot of things,” said Reece. “It’s starting to get sentimental.”
“I come from a family of five kids and all of them graduated from Franklin Academy,” said Miriam. “It’s fun to see the changes in the school, teachers, and people they’ve been associated with during the time we’ve all been here.”
“There are educational opportunities and different things students can all be a part of that wasn’t around in the past,” Emma mentioned.
“My siblings didn’t have all the opportunities with clubs,” Morgan remarked. “Malone offers a lot to be involved in and a great community to get along with.”
Each of them have set their college plans after they graduate from Franklin Academy. Morgan has paid her deposit to attend Hartwick College for its nursing program, Reece will be going to Paul Smith’s College for forestry, Miriam has committed to Houghton University to join its early childhood education program, and Emma has been accepted into the Crane School of Music for music education at SUNY Potsdam.
