On Saturday, April 27th Kansas Christian College was privileged to honor Ms. Tawnya Smith with the Ruby Award for her contributions to the drama department at Kansas Christian College. Ms. Smith wrote a brief autobiography to serve as her acceptance speech for the event, highlighting her time at Kansas Christian College and Overland Christian Schools which you can find below.
A Brief Autobiography: Tawnya Smith
I moved from Arizona (where I had grown up on the mission field) to Overland Park in 1991 to attend KCCBS. Those were some of the most formative years of my life and I graduated in May 1996 with a BA degree in Secondary English Education.
During my time in college, Mrs. Ruby Mays Rice was my advisor, instructor, mentor, and head cheerleader. She encouraged me to become involved in the drama department, which was her pride and joy. Before long, I was working as an assistant stage manager and then became her stage manager for many productions over the next decade. I fell completely, head over heels, in love with theatre.
After graduating from college, I was hired by KCCBS to teach at Overland Christian. I taught in preschool, junior high, and high school until 2015. After Mrs. Rice retired in 2002, I became the director of the theatre department, and along with Mrs. Lynette Williams, directed and/or managed 12 or 13 shows, not including alumni dramas, with Mr. Kevin Mays as director. I learned so much from both Mrs. Rice and Lynette during my time with the KCCBS (now KCC) drama department and I am eternally grateful.
I treasure the many precious memories from musicals like The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music (twice – and it is my personal favorite) and other shows that had very special meaning for me personally such as The Carpenter (an allegory of the life of Christ), The Miracle Worker (about Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller’s teacher), and my last show at KCCBS, The Hiding Place (about Corrie ten Boom). I am truly grateful for the opportunities and will never forget the memories.
I will also never forget the people. I could always depend on Ben Nelson, Oleta Witt Korah, Suzy Meyers, David Carpenter, and others over the years on the stage and tech crew to join in the long hours of preparation and practice. Harold Carpenter, Larrel Witt, and Brian Menefee built many sets for me and Arlene McGehee provided and procured the props and decorations. Gloria Meyers and Elaine Simpson always handled the production and front office duties with efficiency and professionalism. Talented Alumni like Aaron Ward, Michelle Avery, Jeff Collins, Leandra Martin, Jon Kreutzweiser, Tami Cook, and others were ones I could depend on to help fill casting roles, even at the last minute. The students were, of course, always the highlight, and I cannot begin to name all of the students who were faithful to audition for parts and volunteer for crews. It was always a joy to see them take direction and grow in their craft. We always had a great time and everything always came together!
I’m so thankful to see the way that the drama department has continued to excel and expand under the new leadership at KCC. Bravo to Sarah Ross, Mason Carpenter, and the others who have carried on the torch for this truly exceptional legacy – this much-loved piece of the past,
I am now teaching in a Christian high school in Washington State. It is my hope and dream to someday start a drama/theatre department at my school, inspired by the experience I was blessed to receive here.
I’m truly grateful and humbled to receive this award. I am blessed to have been able to be involved so deeply for so long in such an excellent and vital department of KCCBS (KCC). Much love and many thanks to all who were involved along with me, and to all those honored before for me to receive this great honor. I thank God for all of you and for His many blessings in my life.
