Suzie Sime, a retired Reading and Social Studies Teacher and long-time Theatre Director at the Eden Prairie High School, was the star of the show on May 16 during the annual Eden Prairie High School Drama Awards, which honors performers and “behind the scenes” technical and artistic set contributors for all of the theatre productions for the past year. While the auditorium was already filled with excitement as a Hollywood Oscar-reminiscent Awards Show was underway — student actors, actresses, and behind-the-scenes performers were dressed for the occasion in their suits and beautiful long flowing and sparkly gowns, suspense was in the air as each award presenter slowly opened the white envelope to divulge the winner in that particular category, loud applause and screams were heard as winners names were announced, award winners full of emotion rushed to the stage to accept their very Oscar-looking award — it was by all accounts a star-studded Hollywood Oscar’s evening. But, saving a big surprise for last, Jay Asfeld and Laurie Nebeker, Theatre Director, took the stage to announce an exciting addition to the evening, The Suzie Sime Recognition Award!
Laurie Nebeker, began her remarks by explaining that an anonymous Eden Prairie Alumni Drama Student has chosen to endow a scholarship for theatre students named after and in honor of Suzie Sime, who was this student’s (and that of many students over the years) most beloved teacher and drama director. Laurie, who took over as Theatre Director when Suzie retired a few years ago, said this award is so befitting as Suzie built this theatre program over the last 35 years into the amazing program it is today. She said, “Suzie Sime is a great person to honor this evening because if there was anything good for the drama students, Suzie found a way to implement those ideas — it was always about giving students more opportunities to perform and participate.” Nebeker went on to say, “Suzie started the popular Trajectories which allows students the opportunity to write, direct and choreograph their own shows; Suzie added a Winter Play and a second Spring Show; Suzie started the Summer Drama Camp program; and, she ran the Box Office for the musicals and oversaw the intricacies of ticket sales.”
The Suzie Sime Recognition Award comes along wit
h a $1,000 scholarship for continuing education for two outstanding senior drama students — one performer and one techie. This year’s awards went to Reagan Pawlyszyn and Katherine Kregness. Laurie explained that FEPS will be administering this award each
year, in concert with the Theatre Department, on behalf of the Alumni Student donor.
Congratulations to Katherine, Reagan, and Suzie!
