Pennsbury Honors ‘Driving Force Behind Theater’ With ‘Orange Award’

Immensely talented students and a director with long-standing passion for theater were the focus of Monday night’s Pennsbury Award Theater.

The school’s drama department and supportive community members gathered at the school’s west campus in Fairless Hills for a unique set of award-winning student performances and for recognition of the department’s leader and inspiration.

The department, which is comprised of talented acting and technical students of all grade levels, performed entire cast songs from Matilda and Seussical the Musical, in addition to award-winning monologues and scholarship performances for the crowd. The night revolved around not only the students, but their leader and mentor, Mary Kay Everett.

“There are people who make the world a better place just by being in it,” said Patty Williams Yost. “Mary Kay Everett is one of those people.” Everett, a veteran of the drama department, received Pennsbury’s coveted ‘Orange Award’.

According to dozens that came out to honor Everett, she has been a driving force in keeping theater and drama education alive at Pennsbury.

“I am one of those former students who are forever indebted to Mary Kay’s guidance, tenacious encouragement and compassion, and I am honored and proud to be her friend,” said Williams Yost.

Kimberly Albanowski, a current student of Everett’s, said she owes her director for not only who she is today, but all the opportunities she has had. “She has given me opportunities I never could have imagined,” she said.

Tying the event together, students played a video for Everett, comprised of students past and present thanking her for her service to the district.

The school’s next production will be of “A Piece of My Heart” on April 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Orange Auditorium. Admission is $7.