Sweetwater Elementary chorus students performed Disney's "Finding Nemo: Kids" just before 
spring break after being chosen as one of 71 schools nationwide to receive a special theater grant.
The production was sponsored by the Disney: Stage Connect program, designed to help grow theater programs in elementary schools across the country, according to Sweetwater second-year music teacher Chloe Spears. Spears worked with Principal Tanish Springer, Coach Trace Smith and Terri Harris to record videos and fill out the application for the grant.
Sweetwater got the news that the school had been selected for the program in August and practiced twice a week from September until the April 1 performance in the auditorium at New Manchester High School.
"Truthfully, 'Finding Nemo: Kids' has been all I could think about for seven months," Spears said. "Students have put in countless hours into rehearsals, at school and at home. Their families and parents have also been helping arrange transportation, costumes, and support for their students."
The day of the performance, Disney sent each student a Mickey Mouse plush.
Spears praised the entire cast, highlighting Genesis Lopez Cabrera as an energetic Nemo, Gavin Dakers for his comedic take on Marlin, and Zahneaia Jemison for balancing Dory's serious and silly sides. Kalyn Thrash, who had just two weeks to prepare, stepped into the role of Crush and delivered a standout performance.
When the final bow came, Spears said it was a moment she won't forget.
"It was a moment of complete gratitude and elation," she said. "All of their hard work had accumulated into this one perfect show."
Spears credited school-wide support — including Trudy Tobias and Coach Smith, who learned to drive a bus to transport students to NMHS — as well as strong collaboration with New Manchester High School Principal Casey Bethel and his staff, for making the production a success.
If you missed the show, Spears has more good news: Sweetwater has already been selected for the Disney: Stage Connect program again for the spring of 2027.
"'Finding Nemo: Kids' and the Disney: Stage Connect program have shown me just how talented and capable our students are," she said. "They put their own spin on their characters, worked tirelessly on their line delivery, and ensured that the whole production ran smoothly. Without their talent, hard work, and dedication, the show would not have been possible. It's the moments where students truly fulfill their potential that make teaching worth it."
