Drama students at DeKalb’s Champion Middle School serve up mystery, lunch to Tucker seniors

By Valerie J. Morgan

Seniors at Northlake Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care in Tucker got some lunchtime entertainment, thanks to Champion Middle School drama students who visited the seniors on May 2.    

The students served up lunch and a mystery production entitled “Café Murder.” Nineteen students from Joy Hammond’s 8th grade drama class put on the production. 

“It was great seeing the students interact with the seniors. They were so helpful in serving them their lunch and ice cream and the seniors seemed to enjoy participating in the mystery drama,” said Hammond.

 The field trip is part of the community outreach that Hammond uses to teach students about volunteerism and giving back to their community.

“I look for opportunities for the students to serve and be engaged in the community as they share what they’re learning in the classroom,” said Hammond.

Hammond said last year, students in her drama class performed for seniors and children in the afterschool program at the Lucious Sanders Recreation Center in Lithonia. Students participating in the school’s drama club, which she oversees,  perform annually at the ART Station in Stone Mountain for a ticketed event to gain even more stage experience and exposure to diverse audiences.

“I just want them to have really great opportunities and we’re always seeking places to take the students and sponsors for the field trips,” said Hammond. “We’re so grateful for the sponsorship that the South DeKalb Rotary Club has provided under the leadership of President Ceasar Gaiters and we’re hoping to work with other groups and businesses to do more in the community.”

The drama class has a trip planned to Snellville. They will be visiting seniors at Eastside Gardens Assistant Living and Memory Care on May 8.