GreatNews.Life Student Voices: The talent, heart, and hustle behind Morton High School

What’s recently happened?

The Hammond Academy of Performing Arts (HAPA) at Morton High School (MHS) brought one of theater’s most beloved stories to life with its production of Peter Pan. For many cast members, the journey was just as magical as the destination.

From the moment rehearsals began, students poured their hearts into every scene, every song, and every step. The production brought together performers, tech crew, and behind-the-scenes talent who all shared one common goal to create something truly unforgettable.

The road to opening night was not without its challenges. Like any great production, Peter Pan demanded patience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the process. Students pushed through difficult rehearsals, long nights, and the pressure of perfecting their craft. When the curtain finally rose, every ounce of effort showed.

For seniors, the show carried an extra layer of meaning. It marked the final curtain call of their high school theater careers, making every rehearsal and every performance that much more precious. For some, it was also their first time stepping into a leading role, a milestone that will not soon be forgotten.

“HAPA Theatre is a space I’ve spent the past five years calling my second home, and with the cast of Peter Pan this show is no exception,” Senior Autumn Kinzie said. “It’s truly the human effort, love, and care that makes theatre programs and shows like this one as beautiful as they are.”

Theater has always been about more than applause. It is about the quiet moments backstage, the bonds formed during late rehearsals, and the shared vulnerability of bearing your heart before an audience. HAPA’s Peter Pan captured all of that and more.

“Peter Pan was a labor of love from everyone in the cast,” Senior Isaac Flores said. “Even long after the set’s been torn down, the impact we left on people will stay forever. But with the end of every chapter comes the start of a new one.”

For HAPA, that next chapter is already being written  one performance at a time.

What’s coming up?

Morton High School (MHS) students are counting down the days to one of the most anticipated nights of the year. Prom is set for April 7, and this year’s theme of “Diamonds Are Forever”  promises an evening as timeless and dazzling as the theme itself.

From the dress shopping to the dinner plans, the excitement building around campus is undeniable. Students have been buzzing about the big night for weeks, eager to celebrate with classmates and create memories that will last long after graduation day.

The Diamonds Are Forever theme sets the stage for a glamorous night filled with elegance and sparkle. It is a fitting send-off for a senior class that has worked hard, grown through challenges, and earned every moment of celebration heading their way.

“Prom is something I’ve been looking forward to since freshman year,” Senior Jasmine Rivera said. “I want to enjoy every second of it with the people who have been by my side through everything.”

Prom is more than just a party. For many seniors, it represents a milestone, a chance to pause, look around at the people they have spent years alongside, and soak in one of the last great memories of high school before the next chapter begins.

“This theme is perfect for our class,” Senior Marcus Thompson said. “We’ve been through so much together, and this night is our chance to celebrate how far we’ve come.”

April 7 cannot come soon enough for MSHS students. One thing is certain; this will be a night that shines just as brightly as its theme.

Staff Spotlight

Morton High School (MHS) Dance Director Kathleen Dominiak Treasure, known to many students as Miss DT, has spent nearly 16 years building one of the most dynamic dance programs in the Region. What started as an unexpected detour from a telecommunications dream has grown into a career defined by creativity, inclusion, and passion.

Treasure originally planned to study telecommunications at Columbia College in Chicago. But a campus visit to Hope College in Michigan changed everything. After auditioning for the dance department chair, she eventually declared as a dance major  and never looked back. She later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from one of the top 10 dance programs in the country.

At MHS, Treasure teaches ballet, modern, tap, jazz, choreography, and dance history. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and recently began leading dance classes for special education students, a role she calls her greatest accomplishment yet.

“Dance was created by the people and should be given back to the people. I’ve always felt that way with all the students here; it’s all inclusive,” Treasure said.

This year, her special education students performed at the Black History Month program and will take the stage again at the Spring Dance Concert alongside HAPA students in a Michael Jackson medley.

“When you choreograph, your vision is set on bodies and your art comes alive through them. It’s like looking at a painting, but it’s moving. And every opportunity life gives you, do it. Don’t shy away, even if you don’t like it. Take a chance, because you never know what you’re going to learn,” Treasure said.

Student Spotlight

Morton High School (MHS) Senior Madysen Edwards is no stranger to standing out. A HAPA dance major and entrepreneur, Edwards has built a life around creativity both on the dance floor and off it.

Edwards began her dance journey in eighth grade, but it was joining HAPA at MHS as a freshman that truly shaped her as a performer. Unlike traditional dance teams, HAPA gives students the freedom to contribute their own choreographic ideas alongside their director.

Her ambitions don’t stop at dance. As a freshman, Edwards launched her own crochet business, Off the Hook, which she runs through Instagram.

Balancing a business, dance major, and a top 20 class ranking hasn’t been easy. Edwards believes that she has held herself accountable. She pushed her grade point average even higher after school consolidation affected her standing.

“People don’t realize how much of an expression of art dance truly is,” Edwards said. “I encourage more people to go watch a video or two of a contemporary piece and think of what it says to you.”

For Edwards, dance is also deeply personal. She describes using movement to process emotions and feel seen even when words fall short.

Looking ahead, Edwards hopes to try out for the dance team at Wayne State University in Detroit and has her sights set on becoming one of the Chicago Bulls’ Lovables.

“Don’t let the person that you really want to be meet the person that you became,” Edwards said. “Stay motivated to always be the person who you want to be.”