Here at Westview, the theater program has grown tremendously over the past three years. This year, Mr. Tony Schik, drama teacher, won the 2025 “Teacher of the Year” award at the Nebraska Thespian Festival. Students involved in theater got together and came up with a plan to get Schik the theater teacher of the year award, and this is how they did it.
Students made a short video about why Schik deserves the award. They expressed the hard work he has put into the theater program, and what he has done for them this year. Then, they sent it to their state thespian directors.
All the nominations from troupes around the state were played at the festival, then they picked the top seven video nominations, and he ended up winning.
“Schik has been working very hard to get this award. Mr. Schik has shown so much kindness, effort, and support towards his students,” said Ellie Briggs, 11, said.
The musical that they were putting together at this time was called “Dani Girl.” The show was about an imaginative 9-year-old girl who is battling cancer for the second time in her life. The little girl goes on “adventures” and learns what hope is along the way from her peers.
“Putting this play together was truly amazing because of the important message and learning what it’s like for people going through the same process as Dani in the show,” Song Minor, 12, said.
