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Press Release for Mr. Derrick Davis On December 13, 2009, Amityville Memorial High School’s eleventh and twelfth grade ELA students were invited to participate in a master class given by Mr. Derrick Davis. Mr. Davis grew up in Amityville and attended Copiague schools. He is currently performing as Mufasa in Walt Disney’s THE LION KING in Las Vegas, Nevada. He believes in giving back to his community through sharing what he has learned with the youth. After an informative introduction about the entertainment industry and the discipline one needs to hone his/her craft, Mr. Davis coached selected students who had prepared vocals and/or dramatic and poetry readings. He guided the students as to how to bring emotion to their performances, hence breathing life into their presentations as their peers looked on. This wonderful educational experience culminated in a brief video of Mr. Davis’ day as he traveled to the theatre, entered, went through make up and walked on stage for his first performance of Mufasa. There was a question answer period and time for photos with Mr. Derrick Davis. Student comments illustrated that they received Mr. Davis’ message to them that they could accomplish anything they put their minds and effort to: “I always had acting in mind with uncertainty, but after you showed us how it is, and even demonstrated a bit in front of us, something hit me and now I have acting up there with my poetry” Brian Ortega “It takes a very special person to actually leave such a positive impact on students, as you did. Your advice was helpful and it gave me a new perspective on life and it’s struggles. Your talk with us convinced me to give my all to everything that I do so that I can be successful” Shanice Gaskins “Being the person you are, it shows me I can do anything I want if I just work hard for it… I never knew one person could have such a big impact on someone’s life.” John Vasquez An excerpt from a letter to Derrick: “I’m writing this letter to you to show you how inspired I am and how motivated I am because of you. Wow, you were born in Amityville just like me and are living the dream on Broadway in “The Lion King.” To be honest, I wouldn’t think someone from this town would go that big in the industry but then I met you… I said to myself, I can be him and it only takes hard work and dedication to make that happen… I just want you to know that you opened my eyes to see dreams can be fulfilled and achieved. I will never doubt my dreams and will work harder to achieve my goal with the help of you Derrick, and I will work super hard to be a top model and Graphic/Web Designer. Thank you so much for coming to your hometown and inspiring the school, as well as me. –Alexis Fowler |
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