My name is Becky Wandel and I am currently a Youth Media Producer at PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. I had the privilege of being both a participant and a counselor at Five Star Theatre Company between 2007 and 2018. I began my time with Five Star when I was 10 years old as a member of the ensemble in our production of "Once on This Island." It was my first time ever being up on stage and, thanks to the passion and expertise of the counselors and directors who guided me there, an experience that made me fall in love with performing. I continued on as a participant for the next 5 summers and solidified lifelong friendships with my fellow participants. The creative and affirming environment at Five Star pushed me to try new things -- like dancing, costume designing, poetry writing and more -- all while feeling safe and supported by directors, counselors and fellow participants. I was lucky enough to return to Five Star as a counselor for two summers while I was a college student. I discovered a passion for working with young people that has shaped my career. In my current role, I work closely with a diverse range of middle and high school students studying journalism. I find myself thinking often of lessons I learned as a Five Star counselor -- treating children with respect and patience, working hard to create a caring atmosphere, and most importantly, being open to learning from kids just as much as I hope they're learning from me. At Five Star, I taught workshops in music theory and self-expression through art that helped me become the educator I am today. I even still have some of the participants' creations from the latter workshop hanging in my apartment! Five Star is an incredibly special place that has helped generations of young people like me find confidence in ourselves and our place in the world.

When I look back at my daughter's experience in Five Star, the first thing I think of is how it is the only place during her whole school experience where she was fully included and accepted. NOT because she had to be, but because she just WAS. This is the culture of this amazing theatre experience for all participants. Samantha was held to high expectations while also enjoying the accommodations necessary for her to achieve success. The stage has always been a place where Sam shines because of the confidence that grew during her experience at Five Star. Her love for acting, singing and dancing was encouraged and indeed flourished under the tutelage of Mr. Endslow, Miss Killian and all the other counselors. This summer, Samantha had the privilege of becoming a counselor, working and molding student campers as she had been taught. This opportunity would never have been possible without Mr. Endslow's vision and all the potential he sees in her. Five Star is a magical place and each summer, about 160 staff and students work together to make the stage come alive.

The Five Star Theatre Company allows children of all abilities to participate, which is one of its strengths. It was very important in my son’s life. David has autism; he has very little affect and has trouble recognizing and expressing emotions. The years David participated in Five Star were important to his emotional growth, because he was able to act out feelings on the stage that he didn’t know how to express in real life. Now an adult, David is a civil engineer with little time for theatrical pursuits, but he does sing in a community choir. Music is his favorite avocation. I believe that the Five Star Theatre Company was instrumental in helping David to become the man he is.