A dozen Romulus students took the stage and stood out at a major statewide theater conference earlier this month.
Twelve student-performers from the Romulus Central School Encore Society attended the New York State Theatre Education Association Student Conference from Jan. 9 to 11 in Callicoon.
More than 800 students from across New York took part in the conference, which featured workshops and performances led by performing arts professionals.
The Romulus Foundation for Educational Opportunities funded the trip. The group includes Romulus alumni who raise money to support student learning through grants.
“Our students learn so much at this conference,” said Katie Smith, a Romulus teacher who served as advisor and chaperone. “It’s hard to replicate this experience during the typical school day.”
Three Romulus students also earned special recognition, marking a first for the district.
“It is absolutely amazing for these students to be recognized, because of how small our school is,” Smith said. “I’m very excited that our small group made such a big impact this year.”
Senior Brian Whitelaw earned the lead role in a student-written play titled Benny and the Waving Cat. Each school may nominate one student to audition for the performances.
“I was very excited, and at the same time I was very nervous,” Whitelaw said. “This was only the third show that I’d ever done so I really wasn’t expecting to be selected.”
Whitelaw received his script at midnight on the first night and rehearsed until early morning.
“I had to memorize eight pages of an 11-page play,” he said. “I got to play a really fun and complex character.”
Romulus juniors Jackson Wasney and Scott Smith also earned top honors in the NYSTEA student art contest.
Their winning design will appear on merchandise and branding for the 2027 NYSTEA Student Conference.
“Mrs. Smith found us during the conference, and told us we should work on this design,” Wasney said.
Smith helped conceptualize the design and completed the artwork.
“I didn’t expect to win,” Smith said. “Having our design featured next year is definitely a motivator to go back.”
The Romulus Encore Society includes students from across the district with a shared interest in the performing arts. Romulus is one of the few districts in the Wayne-Finger Lakes region offering performances at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
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