Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills Middle School Performers on Magical Disney Tour

Shouts and squeals reverberated through the halls of Hinsdale Middle School Friday afternoon after the final bell rang, as more than 100 7th and 8th-graders scrambled to gather their luggage for perhaps one of the biggest trips of their lives.

Members of HMS's ShowStoppers, Show Choir and Symphonic Band have spent the past seven months fine-tuning their singing, dancing and orchestral skills with one goal in mind: performing on that magical stage in Disney World.

"This is just HUGE for these kids," said HMS parent Heidi Cothard, whose 8th- grader Veronica is performing on stage with the Show Choir. Cothard is actually making the trip with Veronica this weekend, a trip she also took with her older daughter five years ago. She says watching the kids on stage brings lots of tears and pride. "My favorite part is seeing all the excitement and all of the hard work they have put into this come to fulfillment. It's definitely high emotions for me, I'll be crying!"

This will be HMS Principal Ruben Pena's first trip to Disney with the musical group. "School is all about lifelong memories," Pena reflected. "To be able to say that you performed at Disney World when you were in middle school, that's really something." 

A trip the size and scale of this takes months of planning, said Pena. Safety is the No. 1 priority. The group has at least 10 adult chaperons, each child receiving cell phone numbers to each chaperon in case someone needs to make a call. Once inside the Disney park, the youngsters must travel in groups of four or five and stay with their group the entire day. HMS  ShowStoppers director Jan Clarin said for all of the years she has travelled with the group, the buddy system works best. "We have the students check in with us at various times throughout the day, and most especially when we are at the parks." Clarin added that there is security for the students at night in the hotel. 

Musical groups from both HMS and CHMS are performing on various Disney stages during President's Day Weekend. The youngsters will also get the opportunity to participate in a music clinic, where they will learn how recordings are made.  Professional musicians will evaluate and critique the students as well.

Principal Pena is like a proud father when he talks about his HMS middle-schoolers heading off to the Magic Kingdom. "Everywhere we go, we get complimented on how well-behaved we are. Whether we go on a field trip or even Washington, D.C.  I'm looking forward to this. I get to see a bunch of children become adults in front of my eyes."