Lakeland PBS
❤ Donate
  • Home
  • Support
  • Watch Now
    • Livestream
    • Local Shows
    • Watch Online
    • Schedule
    • Our Channels
    • Webcam
  • Lakeland News
    • News Feed
    • Featured Segments
    • Watch a News Story
    • Watch a Sports Story
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • State Legacy Funding
    • Meetings & Public Filings
    • Education
    • Employment
  • ❤ DONATE

Golden Apple: Horace May Presents “A Day In The Life Of Me”

Shirelle Moore — May. 10 2018
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

For over three decades now, 2nd graders at Horace May Elementary School in Bemidji have been taking the stage for the annual 2nd grade play. Last Thursday, the halls of the school were once again filled with laughter, dancing and music for their 36th annual play called “A Day In The Life Of Me.”

“We have a whole variety of different things that we’ve done in those 36 years, and of the 13 that I’ve been here, even in that small time quite a few things that we’ve done,” says Patrick Purrington, a 2nd grade teacher who has worked on the play 13 years now.

This year, the show was all about the life of a 2nd grader from the moment they wake up to the time they crawl back into bed.

“Their foot falling asleep. Getting a brain freeze from eating too much ice cream. Losing your shoe and you can’t find your shoe,” says Purrington.

“There were two solos and a duet, and I just think the girls and they guy who did that, they just did a fantastic job,” says Robert McKeown, a 2nd grade teacher who has been involved with the play, on and off, for 22 years.

You could say it’s the 2nd grade teachers who are the masterminds behind the production. They come up a concept each year and then go from there.

“My favorite part is actually the writing because usually what happens is we have a play and it’s not an hour long, so we start adding songs to it, and sometime I’ve written songs and sometimes Mrs. Pearson’s written songs,” says McKeown.

For one teacher, getting to see her class in the play is extra special. That’s because she was once in her 2nd graders shoes as a star in the show.

Lindsi Shanahan, a 2nd grade teacher and former actress in the play, says, “It was a long time ago that I was an actress in it, but it’s really cool to see both sides and I kind of know a little bit more about what the kids are feeling right now. The nerves and the excitement and all of those types of things that go along with it and I can talk to them from experience.”

For Purrington and McKeown, this will be their last year helping out the production. While they’re sad to leave, all teachers agree the best part about show is watching the kids show off their talents.

“Just how excited the kids get about it and the effort they put in to it and when they come together and work through all the little details that they have to get right, and you just see them gel [into] a group,” says Purrington.

Shanahan adds, “Some of those kids who aren’t normally your stand-up and say lines and all of a sudden, they’re in this play and it’s just their thing.”

Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today.

Donate Today
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

By — Shirelle Moore

Related Posts

Search for Missing Bemidji Teen Nevaeh Kingbird Discussed on Dateline NBC Podcast

Bemidji Woman Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Murder of Brother-in-Law

Mississippi Music Returns for 7th Summer Concert Series in Bemidji

Bemidji Firefighters Exposed to Anhydrous Ammonia While Fighting Blaze

  • Program Schedule

Get the free PBS App

roku
Apple TV
FireTV
AndroidTV
Google Play Store
Apple Store

Connect with Us

Watch Lakeland PBS Live Stream!

Contact Us

Directions
Submit an Event
Submit a Video or Photo
Problem with the Website
Need to contact us about something else? Please visit our contact us page for more options.

About Us

Lakeland PBS understands the media that people are exposed to make a significant impact on their lives. Our hope is that the six channels we broadcast along with our online presence provide people with media experiences that make a positive impact on their lives.

Lakeland PBS is where you want to be!

108 Grant Ave NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 800-292-0922
KAWE Public Profile | KAWB Public Profile | Cable Provider Channel List | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Lakeland PBS. All Right Reserved.

How would you like to show your support?

Monthly Contribution

One-Time Contribution

Thank-You Gift

I would like to select a thank-you gift

No Gift

Put 100% of my gift towards programming