Westmar Middle School welcomes Jump Start Theatre program for the 2024-2025 school year. Westmar Middle School, located in Lonaconing, Maryland, is a 6th, 7th, & 8th grade public school in Allegany County. Feeder elementary schools include George’s Creek Elementary and Westernport Elementary. Students who attend Westmar Middle School move on to Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg, Maryland. Westmar is located in the beautiful mountains of Western Maryland. Its population once near 500 students now sits around 250 yearly. Many factors have contributed to the area's population decline and the consolidation of schools. Once a booming coal and papermill town, factories closing have hit the area hard. However, those still in the area have great pride in their heritage. Receiving the Jumpstart Theatre Program will expose students to a world of theatre some have never experienced due to transportation or funding reasons. Teachers and staff at Westmar are excited to be receiving the JumpStart Theatre Grant and look forward to working with the MCCA staff. Westmar plans to begin the program in October as an after school club. Westmar Middle will house and run the program, however students from Westmar Early Learning Center, George’s Creek Elementary, and Westernport Elementary will be invited and encouraged to also participate, allowing for an overall collaborative community performance. The Westmar Jumpstart Theatre core team will include Mrs. Amy Duncan, Mr. Robert Wallace, Mrs. Sam Kennedy,  Mrs. Julie Snyder. Mrs. Lora Puffenberger, the Principal. The team plans to include parent volunteers and additional teachers once the program is up and running. The Westmar team is eager to get started.

Mrs. Puffenberger, Principal stated, "I am thrilled about the opportunities this partnership will bring to both our current and future students. I look forward to collaborating with MCAA and our Westmar team to enhance cultural experiences within our community."

Mrs. Snyder, Westmar Community School Coordinator stated, “This is a great opportunity for our Westmar district students. This will allow for interested students to create a sense of community and hopefully encourage students to continue this love into their high school years at Mountain Ridge, which is known for its excellent theater program.”

Mrs. Duncan, Westmar 7th Grade math teacher stated “It's very exciting for our Westmar students to be receiving this opportunity.”

Mrs. Kennedy, Judy Center Coordinator, stated “We are so lucky to have the Jump Start Theatre Program at the Westmar Middle School. It is also exciting that our prekindergarten students at Westmar Early Learning Center will be able to participate in the theater process, truly making it a building-wide experience!”

“Having served as a drama director at Westmar High School years ago, I am fully aware of the potential for a successful theater program at Westmar Middle School,” says Jeff Avey, Assistant Supervisor of Fine Arts. “The entire school system is proud of this endeavor."

Westmar teachers and staff are grateful for the Jumpstart Theatre program and can’t wait to get started!