NEWTON — This year’s production of Sister Act! The Musical was especially meaningful as it showcased a senior class that spent years building the foundation of Newton Community High School’s theater program.
Leading the cast was Lucy Bierman in the role of Deloris Van Cartier. She previously appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, and Oklahoma! and was involved in chorus, Star Spangled Banner club, marching band, student council, FCA, Spanish, math, and Beta clubs. After graduation, she planned to attend Indiana State University to study accounting.
Shay Bennett, cast as Mother Superior, previously appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma!, Six, and Newsies. She was involved in chorus, marching/concert band, cross country, track, student council, math team, Beta, science, and math clubs, the READ program, and St. Thomas CYO. She planned to attend OCC to earn an associate’s degree in political science before transferring to SIUC to attend law school and become an attorney.
In the role of Eddie, Johnnie Brant previously appeared in Newsies as well as other school productions. She was involved in chorus, cross country, track, FCA, and FFA, and was a member of the National Guard. After graduation, she planned to continue training as a diesel mechanic and attend Lake Land College.
AJ Pitcher, portraying Curtis, appeared in Oklahoma! as Ali Hakim and in Newsies. He was involved in chorus, marching band/drumline, scholastic bowl, and tennis. After graduation, he planned to attend Cedarville University to pursue a degree in marketing.
As Sister Mary Robert, Jailyn Hall previously appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma!, Six, and Newsies. She was involved in chorus, marching/concert band, tennis, student council, math, science, history, and Beta clubs, FCA, yearbook, 4-H, and her church youth group. She planned to attend Eastern Illinois University to earn a degree in elementary special education.
Cameron Newkirk, cast as Monsignor O’Hara, appeared in Oklahoma! and Newsies, where he played Teddy Roosevelt. He was involved in chorus, marching/concert band, and history club. After graduation, he planned to attend a university to study history education.
Elliott Kocher appeared in Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma!, Newsies, and Sister Act!, where she played Sister Mary Lazarus. She was involved in chorus, drumline/marching band, student council, FCA, math team, Beta, science, and Spanish clubs. After graduation, she planned to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to study pre-dental.
Karly Deckard appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, Oklahoma!, Six, and Newsies, and played Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours in this year’s production. She was involved in chorus, Star Spangled Banner club, marching band, student council, FCA, Beta, Spanish, math, and science clubs, yearbook, softball, 4-H, and the Holy Cross CYO. She planned to attend Eastern Illinois University to major in nursing.
Sadie Iffert appeared in Oklahoma! as Carrie Pipperidge and in Newsies, and played Sister Mary Theresa in Sister Act!. She was involved in chorus, Star Spangled Banner club, marching/concert band, math, science, and history clubs, the READ program, and the SWAG youth group. After graduation, she planned to attend Lake Land College majoring in human services to become an osteopathic endocrinologist.
Together, this senior group represented not only the heart of Sister Act! but also the legacy of a program built on commitment, growth, and passion for the arts.
As the curtain fell, it marked not just the end of a show, but a milestone moment for a senior class that left a lasting mark on the NCHS stage.
