When pre-first teacher Janice Cox began working on this year’s kindergarten/pre-first play, she had Darlington School's Centennial on her mind.
“I wanted to write about Darlington’s history,” she said. “It is important for the children to build a sense of confidence about the wonderful, century-old school which they attend.”
Thus, the students presented
“Honor Above Everything,” written by Cox, Tuesday, March 29 at 1 p.m. in the Lower School gym and Wednesday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m. in Morris Chapel at the Upper School.
In the play, each of Darlington’s past-presidents, as well as its founder, are brought back by a time machine to see Darlington in the present. All of the facts about these men and their wives and students are true – found among the school archives or in Dr. J. Daniel Hanks’ book “The Story of Darlington School.” It was Cox’s hope that knowing a little about the School’s past-presidents will inspire each student to do his or her very best.
“The children sang and/or danced to a song from each president’s era, from ‘Ragtime’ to ‘Great Balls of Fire,’ which was re-written to include a Happy Birthday message,” Cox said. “I also wrote an original song to teach the children Darlington’s motto and what it means, and these children will always know the Honor Code.”
Cox added that she was excited that some ancestors of past-presidents were in attendance, and one kindergartener, Hollis Ledbetter, actually portrayed his great-grandfather, Dr. E.L. Wright.
“It is such a privilege to be a part of this 100-year-old educational institution where academics and honor are as valued now as they were when it all be gan with Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Cooper in 1905,” Cox said.
John Paul Cooper was played by Cooper Clotfelter, Mrs. Cooper by Bailey Yoder and students by Burch Givens, Jake Womack and Jack Pearson. Dr. C.R. Wilcox was played by Tanner Shadday, Mrs. Wilcox by Emery Hall and football players by Zane Anderson, Gamble Shadday and Sam Berry. Dr. E.L. Wright was played by Hollis Ledbetter, Mrs. Wright was by Sara Berry and students by Nile Houser and C.J. Clark. R.M. Yankee was played by Tigger Frix, Mrs. Yankee by Emmie Camp, and students by Jayson Peace and Garrett Miller. Gordon Bondurant was played by Herren Burgess, Mrs. Bondurant by Lindsay Hoyt, and Thornwood girls by Ashley Hawkins, Sarah Frances Jones, Emily Orr, Mamie Johnson, Kelsey Garrett, Avery Smith, Mary Harbin Gilbert and MacKenzie Smallwood. James P. McCallie was played by Ian Kinney and Mrs. McCallie by Anna Kate Cagle. Mr. David Hicks was played by Rand Smith and Mrs. Hicks by Samanda Cox. Dr. James Hendrix was played by Holt Brewster and students by Abby Saberi, Claire Anderson, Michael Vick, Jordan Salmon, Camille Stith, Katie Kelly, Anna Grace Rafter and Clara Allen.
Student narrators included William Groover, Katie White, Gianna Pieroni and Farrin Mumpower.
