When each day spent at Chardon High School is filled with the faces of hundreds of strangers, it is easy to let the stories of others slip in one ear and out the other. Many people may be out of sight and out of mind, but one stand-out senior commands the spotlight. Maddy McCluskey, made well-know by her commitment to the performance arts, is not someone that is easily forgotten.

            Having lived in Chardon for all of her seventeen (almost eighteen) years, Maddy has cultivated many long-lasting friendships. Whether at school, the Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild, or the Perry Outdoor YMCA soccer club, she has always drawn people in with her mega-watt smile and charisma. One person that can surely attest to this winning personality is Maddy’s mother, Miriam McCluskey. “She is true to herself, no matter what anyone says or thinks, and shows it. She is confident and at ease with anyone,” Mrs. McCluskey explains. As someone that has known Maddy since pre-school, I can say with absolute honesty that I have never met someone as kind-hearted and fun-loving as her. Senior Sarah Fisher echoes that sentiment, stating that Maddy is the kind of person that “will listen to and help with anything or anyone.” Senior and lifelong friend Halle Tierney states that no matter what time she calls, Maddy will always be there to pick up the phone and provide support. “She’s so selfless,” Tierney quips, “She brightens a room when she walks in, and cheers you up no matter how bad your mood is.” Senior Rachel Teuscher met Maddy in the fourth grade, and immediately noticed how caring Maddy is. “She is pretty, smart, funny, and talented, but you can’t hate her or be jealous because she’s so nice, too,” Teuscher claims.

            Aside from her cheerful disposition and loyalty to her friends, Maddy made a name for herself through her musical and theatrical talents. From a very young age, she began to experiment with music. Piano lessons, radio sing-alongs and participation in fifth grade band filled much of her time throughout elementary school. As middle school came and went, she became more involved in the vocal aspect of music, participating in various ensembles, choirs and musicals. At the age of eleven, Maddy appeared on the GLTG stage for the first time, when she and I played twin giraffes in a production of the Jungle Book. Because small ensemble roles could not demonstrate all the talent she possessed, she soon began nailing bigger and bigger roles (such as Kelsi in High School Musical, and Queen Agravane in Once Upon a Mattress.) Her success did not stop there, however. The more experience she gained, the bigger her spotlight became. Soon enough, she was playing Dorothy Gale in the Wizard of Oz, as well as Maria in West Side Story. These impressive roles showed her fellow classmates just what she was made of, if her three years of Free Harmony and four years of choir were not convincing enough. When not on stage or on the risers at a choir concert, Maddy can be found working hard on CHS Drama Club productions. She demonstrated admirable professionalism as a Production Assistant to director and choir teacher Mr. Streiff, as well as with the paid-internships she received at the GLTG.

            It may be hard to believe that a fantastic GPA is possible with all those extra-curricular activities (including being president of Student Council,) but Maddy shows just how far hard work can get you. She maintains excellent grades, and that is exactly how she managed to catch the eye of DePaulUniversity’s admissions department. Wanting to pursue a career in Theatre Management, a prestigious program at this well-know Chicago school, she was one of ten people selected out of over seventy applicants. Mrs. McCluskey exhibited no surprise that Maddy fearlessly chased her dream: “She isn’t afraid to go for it- whether it is an audition, job, or college.” Sarah Fisher, who will be attending DePaul with Maddy, is very excited to take this next big step with her. “I can’t wait to sit in the audience, watching her perform the many leads I’m sure she will get!” says Fisher. Also headed to the WindyCity is Connor McCluskey, Maddy’s twin brother. He, just like Maddy, found his calling with the theatre, though his niche is audio-based. He will be attending Columbia College of Chicago, which is located in the heart of the city, much like DePaul. Having been their friend from the time we were three, I am so excited to see these incredibly close siblings take Chicago by storm. These twins are incredibly passionate and hard-working, and any professor would be lucky to have them.

            Though Chardon High School must soon say goodbye to Maddy, her legacy is one that is sure to survive the test of time. The teachers that remain after we graduate will remember her smile and enthusiasm, and the underclassmen that look up to her can follow in the footsteps of her ruby slippers. Halle Tierney gets teary-eyed when she thinks of parting ways with her friend, but wishes Maddy the best of luck at DePaul, believing whole-heartedly that she will do great things. Much like all of her friends, I cannot wait to see how far she will go in life. Maddy is someone Chardon can truly be proud of.