What’s it like to be an artist from Mississippi? Just ask Zy’Keria Ford who portrayed Elvis Presley in the Drama Kids class at College for Kids last week.

Ford, who enters fourth grade at Poplar Springs Elementary School this fall, was in a short play entitled “Elvis Sings Old Shep” which is based on historical facts. College For Kids Performing Arts instructor Anne McKee, who also wrote the play, was impressed with Zy’Keria’s enthusiasm and acting skills. On the first day of class, the kids were encouraged to try out for all parts. Zy’Keria was excited to read for Elvis.

“This was my seventh year teaching College for Kids and Zy’Keria’s class, I think, would be in the top three of my entire time there,” McKee said. “The students were interested, excited, and the entire class already had great skills pertaining to diction and voice projection.

“There were no discipline problems – just kids wanting to learn all about drama and all about Elvis as a child.”

In the words of Zy’Keria, “The cast was great. Everyone got along and loved each other.”

McKee said her goal each year is to use the arts as a vehicle to teach Mississippi history as well as the basics of the art form.

“I’ve written several plays about Mississippi artists as children, their influences and mentors,” McKee said. “This year the plays feature Elvis and Jim Henson. Once the children play the parts, they will never forget the history lesson, and as well will have learned the basics of the art form of drama.

“I hope to ignite a spark of interest guiding the students into the creative world of which our Mississippi culture has always dominated. I include music, visual art, Mississippi history, performing arts plus tons of fun!”

Symphony Fun Fest Summer Event

The Meridian Symphony Association will be hosting its annual summer event, Symphony Fun Fest, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 at Meridian Community College’s Ivy Building. Ten years ago, the Meridian Symphony created Symphony Fun Fest to increase community involvement and educate children about the magic of the orchestra. Throughout the years, Symphony Fun Fest has seen as many as 150 students and as few as 50 students. Whatever the group size, however, all attendees always have fun visiting each instrument families station.

Since Symphony Fun Fest is a fun day of learning about the orchestra, MSA always hires professional teaching artists for each area of the orchestra who instruct the children and give them an opportunity to play the instruments as well.

This year’s teaching artists will be:

Woodwinds: Mike Sanchez, Matthew Goia.

Brass: Thomas Ly, James Green.

Percussion: Matthew Fera.

Strings: Benjamin Johnson, KK Johnson, Lauren Johnson.

To register your child, call 601-693-2224 or email msainterns@gmail.com.

Meridian native part of honor

The Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, Alabama, has received a coveted accreditation from the United Methodist Association.

Meridian native and Presbyterian Home for Children CEO Doug Marshall accepted an award on April 16 for completing the rigorous requirements for the Educational Assessment Guidelines Leading toward Excellence, or EAGLE, accreditation during a ceremony at the annual meeting of the Eagle Accreditation Commission under the United Methodist Association in Nashville.

“The Presbyterian Home for Children has been serving children across Alabama for 150 years. Attaining EAGLE accreditation is an accomplishment of excellence for our organization and speaks to our commitment of continual self-improvement,” Marshall wrote.

The Presbyterian Home for Children was one of only six ministries in the country to be recognized for completing the accreditation process of the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries in 2017.

West Lauderdale High School graduate completes basic training 

U.S. Air Force National Guard Airman 1st Class Hunter S. McDaniel graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

McDaniel is the son of Ronnie and Mendy McDaniel and husband of Miller McDaniel, all of Meridian, Mississippi. He is a 2013 graduate of West Lauderdale High School, Collinsville.

Cheryl Owens writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items for consideration to cowens@themeridianstar.