In addition to their regular evening shows, Pace Drama students held special morning performances of Chicago on April 20 and 21 for over 500 middle school students from Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School, St. John the Apostle Catholic School, St. Bartholomew, St. Patrick, Holy Cross, and St. Mary Cathedral School.
A record 1,009 people came out to see the public evening performances, including a sold-out crowd of 450 on April 22 for the 12 Pace Drama seniors’ final night on stage.
During their final curtain call, Cristina Pla-Guzman, lead teacher for the Theatre Program, presented each senior with a rose and highlighted the universities they had been accepted to and the over $100,000 in scholarships they had received.
The seniors responded in kind for their teacher, reminiscing on their years in the program and even singing a song written about her to the tune of “Without Love” from Hairspray, their 2015 spring musical.
Even after the final performance, the accolades continued to roll in for the Drama program. Pla-Guzman and the International Thespian Honor Society students were honored and recognized for their successes by the Miami Lakes Town Council at a May 3 council meeting. The meeting was a mini-Pace alumni reunion as Pla-Guzman, a Class of 2002 alumna, met with Miami Lakes Councilmembers Manny Cid (Class of 2002), Tony Lama (Class of 1996), and Nelson Rodriguez (Class of 1987).
After winning 2016 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award, Pla-Guzman won yet another national award with the 2016 Top-Notch Teacher award at the inaugural Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards ceremony. The award is given out to teachers who help students fulfill their passion and their potential while showcasing a deep love for them and their school.