Six students have been elected to represent the student voice in the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and International Thespian Society (ITS) as International Thespian Officers (ITO) for the 2020-21 school year. They are from Florida, Kansas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
These officers work year-round with EdTA staff, chapter leaders, and Thespians from across the globe to nurture strong student leaders, advocate for the arts, fundraise for accessibility, and create the best experience possible for students.
ITO are elected by their peers who are members of the new International Thespian Student Leadership Council (ITSLC), made up of delegates (state/provincial Thespian officers) from each chapter of ITS.
Both the ITSLC and ITO are part of the student leadership program of ITS, offering training and experience at the local, chapter, and national levels.
The students who served as ITO in 2019-20 focused on two activities that enhanced the organization’s diversity and inclusivity. They laid the groundwork for the ITSLC to expand leadership opportunities at the state level, and they initiated what became the Send A Leader Diversity grant, awarded to student Thespians traditionally underrepresented in student leadership and who have experience in diversity-based leadership, service, and social justice activities.. The incoming ITO intend to continue that work.
The 2020-21 ITO are:
Spencer Angell
Troupe 639, Salina High School, Kansas
2019-2010 International Thespian Officer
Lena Dougherty
Troupe 8938, Wildwood Catholic High School
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
2020 Thespian Democracyworks essay contest winner
Jeyna Lynn Gonzales
Troupe 6371, J. R. Arnold High School, Panama City Beach, Florida
2020 Send a Leader Grant winner
Noah Manzanares
Troupe 3183, Hanford High School
Kennewick, Washington
Isabelle Snyder
Troupe 5029, State College Area High School, Pennsylvania
Maura Toole
Troupe 7993, Grimsley High School, Greesnboro, North Carolina
2019-20 International Thespian Officer
See additional coverage at dramatics.org
