By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington High School’s long-time drama teacher will soon be taking her final bow.

Susan Cortesi is retiring after 23 years at the school. She told WJBC’s Dan Swaney for many students, drama is the ‘hook’ that gets them involved as it forces them to put their education to work.

PODCAST: Listen to Dan and Colleen’s interview with Reilly and Cortesi on WJBC.

“They have to use their math when they get there,” Cortesi said. “They have to use their history in researching the play. They have to know the technology and their science because we’re not just doing a story, but we are putting on a technical, very involved electronic show often.”

Cortesi said drama can be a great outlet for students to get away from the stress of their studies.

She said drama connects kids to school and helps them to develop skills they and others might not realize they have.

“Those are great moments for me when the parents and the community realize the talents within the kids we have here,” Cortesi said.

She added her advice to those aspiring to a career in theater: ‘Do what your heart tells you.’

Her final production will be ‘Legally Blonde’ which will be held at BHS March 10-12.

Snow days

District 87 was one of the few local school districts that held classes yesterday during the winter storm.

Superintendent Barry Reilly said the district doesn’t have the same challenges most districts face as it has just 10 square miles within the city limits.

“We do not have the rural road issue where kids are waiting out in big, open areas where the wind is a tremendous factor,”Reilly said.

Reilly told WJBC’s Dan Swaney while part of the morning commute was challenging, the roads were cleared by mid-afternoon. He added the decision has nothing to do with money – as attendance helps determine how much aid a school district receives.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].