13-year-old David Holgerson is reciting lines for what’s known as a duet interpretation scene. He and his classmate Greta Adams will play Hansel and Gretel in a series of performing styles, shifting from drama to murder mystery to even Shakespearean.
The class has split up into pairs throughout the room to rehearse as they prepare for a dessert theatre performance in February.
After observing for merely moments, it’s easy to see why Holgerson is well liked by his peers. The eight-grader seems to always bring a smile and a sense of humor to class, is active in group discussion, and doesn’t shy away from greeting familiar faces in the hallways.
Of course like many sociable teenagers, early mornings before school can be a bit more subdued. As I sit across from them at the kitchen table, there’s little discussion between Holgerson and his younger brother Isiah in between bites of cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
“You ready?” Askes Holgerson’s father, Eric. “Yeah,” Holgerson says. “I’m still tired, though.”
It’s a blustery morning. But the 20-degree wind chill fails to disturb Holgerson’s neatly groomed fauxhawk as we make out way toward his father’s truck.
David Holgerson’s parents, Shannon and Eric, moved the family to Nixa two years ago from Ash Grove. And it’s taken little time for their oldest son to get involved.
“On Wednesday’s I lead a Bible study, and then Thursdays I have Honor’s Society in the morning," Holgerson tells me. "Then Friday I have FCA in the morning, and then after school Thursday I usually have what’s called piano lessons, and then not much after school.”
Holgerson’s first class starts at 7:40 a.m. with algebra, a subject that he’ll usually be working on later that day or evening.
Reporter: “What’s a typical day for you?”
Holgerson: “Well usually I have algebra homework,” Holgerson laughs.
Back at third period theatre, Holgerson and Adams have now ditched their scripts to test how much of it they’ve memorized.
Up next for Holgerson is a lesson in history, as Carol Damanskis is teaching about the presidency of John Adams in her social studies class.
After a brief video via an interactive whiteboard, the students are given a homework assignment to work on for the rest of the period.
Not only does it appear both algebra and social studies homework is on the agenda tonight, Holgerson and dozens of other classmates have some entertaining to do.
This day marks the final rehearsal prior the 100-member Nixa Junior High band’s winter concert. You can hear Holgerson on the marimba in this selection Meeting at Tryon Palace.
Helping the group work through some kinks is Assistant Band Director Brad Coker.
In The Carolers, the band’s concert finale, Holgerson plays timpani. This is his favorite class, he tells me. And it’s not just because of his love for percussion, but music in general.
“I play piano, I’m trying to teach myself guitar… I play lots of stuff. So I just like it because it’s fun in that sort of way," Holgerson says.
By now it’s been a long stretch since Holgerson last had a formal meal. He is part of the fourth period lunch group, which begins at 12:30 p.m.
Holgerson makes space for me at his table of friends; and upon his return from the lunch line, his tray features a slice of pepperoni pizza, a cheeseburger, small salad, strawberries, and a half pint of chocolate milk.
It’s been a long day for me by this point. But Holgerson has shown no signs of slowing down. He’ll finish strong that afternoon with P.E. There were no extra activities on Holgerson’s agenda today, but as previously mentioned, three days each week he’s involved in Bible study, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or Honors Society.
I can say that a lot has changed since I was in eighth grade; the technology, the infrastructure, safety guidelines, and certain teaching philosophies. But for students like David Holgerson, some of the same experiences still apply. Homework is a fact of life, friends and extracurricular activities can prove very beneficial to a student’s social experience, and you can never go wrong by showing your respect for the education process and those that work hard to implement it.