Raves, Rants & Roses

ROSES: Jennifer Bailey, the director of the TJC Academy of Dance, gave Tyler schoolchildren a wonderful Christmas present. They staged a special performance of "The Nutcracker," and, for a nominal fee, children were transported into the story of Clara and her beloved nutcracker. The kindergarten classes from Jones MST Academy sat in awe and wonder at the sight of Clara's magical Christmas tree. They oohed and ahhed as if they were at a Fourth of July fireworks show through out the performance.

When the Sugar Plum Fairy finished her solo, one of my little girls whispered to me, "Mrs. Orbaugh, I want to do that when I grow up!" And who knows? Maybe because of the investment that Mrs. Bailey and her department made in the life of Tyler schoolchildren, maybe someday she will. Thank you, Mrs. Bailey and the Tyler Junior College Academy of Dance.

Brenda Orbaugh
Tyler