Grandview High School students bring “Holes” to life for fifth graders
An award-winning novel came to life for fifth graders at Red Hawk Ridge and Meadow Point elementary schools on April 9.
“Today we’re showing a couple of scenes in class, answering questions, and signing books to get people excited about our show ‘Holes,’” explained Riley Hale, a senior and Holes cast member at Grandview High School.
Hale and the rest of the cast performed two scenes from the theatrical version of Holes, a young adult novel by Louis Sachar. It tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a 14-year-old boy who is sent to a juvenile detention camp for a crime he didn't commit. There, he and other boys are forced to dig holes in a dry lake bed, uncovering a family curse and buried treasure.
The novel explores themes of fate, friendship, justice, and the consequences of choices, with Stanley and his friend, Zero, ultimately breaking the curse and finding the treasure.
The fifth graders were captivated as the Grandview cast and crew, some in costume, and some in orange show shirts, gave students a sneak peak of the show, which takes the stage this Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 19 at 2 and 7 p.m. Ticket information is available on the Grandview Performing Arts website.
After the classroom performances, the high schoolers gave each fifth grader a wrapped gift. On the count of three, the younger students opened the present to find their own copy of Holes, which won the 1998 US National Book Award for Young People's Literature and the 1999 Newbery Medal for the year's "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children". Castmembers also signed the books, as both themselves and as the characters they play in the show.
The Grandview students raised money for the books by holding a restaurant night at Chick-Fil-A and with the help of the GHS Patrons Program.
“It’s awesome for the elementary schoolers but it’s also awesome for the high schoolers because they get to give back and get out into the community,” said Grandview Theater Arts Teacher Monica Slabach.