As many of you may know, this year marked the end of my undergraduate career at Penn State Brandywine. I am now a college graduate! Though I am still figuring out what I want to do when I grow up, I have spent some time this summer beginning my first "real job" search. I'm very excited (albeit a little scared!) to begin this new chapter of my life.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about my future -- weighing pros and cons of every possible situation -- and with the support of my friends and family, I have decided to charge full steam ahead, continuing to search for my fit in today's job market. Endings are hard, new beginnings are even harder, and I know that I am ready for the challenge of working full-time and supporting myself by doing something I love.
I wish I had made this decision earlier. I wish I had known during the run of Once On This Island that it would be my last show with Great Valley Middle School. I wish I could have shared proper goodbyes with all of you. Every student and parent I have worked with, every show I have been a part of, and every minute of my six years at Great Valley have helped shape me into a more patient, trusting, creative, and confident person. The talent that runs deep within this community never fails to astonish me, and I am so inspired by the love of theater that radiates from every single student I have worked with. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have been able to work with such an amazing group of kids, year after year.
Please keep in touch! I still have access to the gvmusical email account, and if you're around July 19th or 20th, I will be at the performances of CCMP's "The Music Man," and would love to see you!
I can't wait to see what all of you have in store for the future. You're all such amazing kids, and I'm so sad to leave you, but I know that you will continue to shine just as you always have for me.
I've heard it said that people come into our lives
For a reason, bringing something we must learn,
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them, and we help them in return
Now I don't know if I believe that's true,
But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.
So much of me is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart
Steven Schwartz's "For Good" from Wicked
Love always,
Ms. Neville
