John W. Bate Middle School is proud to be a Disney on Broadway School of Excellence.

Sponsors of the program are Disney Theatrical Group, Educational Theatre Foundation and Music Theatre International.

Bate's drama teacher, Darell Rickmers, said that former Director of Arts Education Jane Dewey (who is now retired) and student Willow Snyder were instrumental in applying for the grant.

Bate was one of just 21 schools nationwide that were selected for the program.

“There are three middle schools that got the grant, and the other 19 are high schools," Rickmers said.

He said the opportunity, which will cover most of the expenses involved in putting on the selected production, is an honor.

“I knew it was going to be stiff competition," he said.

In her contribution to the grant application, Snyder wrote that she was "excited about learning how to sing and dance at the same time" and that the opportunity to perform Disney's Newsies, Jr., which is the musical Bate will be performing thanks to the grant, would allow her to "be able to get to know people better and collaborate with other grades and other students."

Rickmers said he was “really impressed with what she wrote.” 

The show's dates will be March 26, 27 and 28. More details will be released later in the school year.

Choir Teacher Scott Walker will be helping students learn the music, Rickmers will be directing the show and creating the set, and local dance instructor Paula Meckes will be doing choreography.