OHS Storybook Players Take Care Of One Of Their Own
Micah Leaverton during the 2011 edition of the Storybook Players Holiday Show.
by Shelly Spaur
Oskaloosa, Iowa – On Saturday, December 14, 2013, the Oskaloosa Storybook Players will present their Annual Holiday Show at George Daily Auditorium. Show times are at 1:00 and 2:30. While the Storybook Players do this holiday show each year, this year will be a little different. The students have decided to have all donations go to one of their alumni to help with medical costs associated with his accident this past summer that has left him paralyzed from the rib cage down.
Ms. Laura Ross is the teacher in charge of the Storybook Players. She took the time to explain about what the group is and what they promote.
“The Storybook Players are a traveling theatre group that performs throughout southeast Iowa. We target elementary schools, but also perform at The Young Writers’ Conference, daycares, assisted living homes, clubs/organizations and public events like Kidtoberfest and the Young Ambassor’s Contest. We promote literacy through drama and character education. Our shows feature a moral or lesson to be learned. This year, our regular season includes: King Midas and the Golden Touch, The Golden Goose, Peter and the Wolf, and our 80’s themed shows, A.T. (Almost Terrestrial) and Alex and the Eagles. We focus on promoting the message of being generous instead of selfish, give credit and praise, acceptance and self-confidence.“
“This is the 30th full year of Storybook Players. Randall Wright created the troupe in the early 1980s. The first full year of the troupe was 1983-1984.”
“During our annual holiday show at GDCA [George Daily Community Auditorium] on Saturday we will be collecting donations to benefit Micah Leaverton, a former standout Storybook Player who graduated from OHS in 2012. Micah was injured in a motorcycle accident this summer in Alaska and is currently paralyzed from the rib cage down. Micah’s family has a lot of medical bills and added expenses that insurance doesn’t cover, like co-pays, medications and some rehabilitation therapy.”
“This fall, I was approached by Scottie Moore (OHS Peer Helper Sponsor) about doing a fundraiser for Micah. The Storybook Players and the Peer Helpers teamed up to form Micah’s Sunshine Crew. Our name was inspired by Melanie Leaverton’s constant reference to “Sunshine Moments” on the Pray for Micah Facebook page this summer. I gathered senior Storybook Players to help brainstorm fundraising ideas and we settled on wristbands that promote a positive message that reminds [people] of Micah, “Smile Like You Mean It”. We began selling wristband and collecting donations at home volleyball and football games. So far, we have raised almost $2100 for the Leavertons. Our goal is to collect a total of $2500 and think we can accomplish this from donations collected on Saturday.”
Oskaloosa News also spoke with Micah about his accident, how he has dealt with things, his plans for the future, and how he feels about the Storybook Players doing this benefit for him.
“I am doing really well! I’ve been home for about eight weeks now and things just continue to get easier and easier. With spinal cord injuries you just learn to adjust and it’s just a matter of time before you learn the new normal. Things just take a lot more time now. Certain things that use to only take 15 minutes can now take up to an hour and a half, but I’m really doing great! I’m working again and I’m able to drive again, so I’ve regained the majority of my independence.”
“The outpouring of support has been incredible! It’s such a benefit to live in a small town like Oskaloosa under circumstances like this, because everyone finds out and they’re so eager to help! It has been so humbling the encouragement and prayer and support we’ve been given. Everyone has been so incredibly helpful and I can’t even begin to express my gratitude! I’m so very thankful for everyone’s willingness and desire to help! The accident has affected my life in basically every area. I’m still the same Micah, I just had to re-learn so many things. Spinal cord injuries almost make you feel like a baby again, just because you have to figure out new ways to do things. The accident hasn’t affected my outlook on life though. I still really love life and even though certain things are a lot more difficult than they used to be I can absolutely still see the beauty in things!”
“I am so thankful and humbled that the school is doing this! It’s just another perfect example of how wonderful this community is. I’m so honored they’re turning it in to a benefit for me. I was a Storybook Player for four years and it was absolutely one of my most favorite parts of high school! I have so many wonderful memories from all the shows we did.”
“All of the donations will go towards paying off hospital bills. I was at Craig Hospital in Denver and it was incredible! They do such a wonderful job, but they’re sort of like a really, really expensive hotel when you have to live there for two months. Everything in the medical world is so outrageously expensive, so any donations we receive will definitely go towards paying off the seemingly endless hospital bills.”
“As far as the future goes I’m really not quite sure yet. I’m very confident this all happened for a reason and it’s been so amazing to see the good that’s come from it so far and I’m so excited for what’s to come! I may go to school and I may just travel or I may just switch back and forth between work and travel. Things are still a little up in the air right now as I’m still continuing to adjust, but I definitely imagine I’ll be moving out West within the next few years. I really love the mountains and Iowa is wonderful but I have quite a longing for the mountains.”
“I am so thankful for everyone’s support. I will never be able to explain how much I appreciate all the prayers and encouragement and support! It blows my mind how wonderful so many folks are! Thank you thank you!”
Performances by the Storybook Players will be 1:00pm and 2:30pm on Saturday. It is a free will donation and all donations will go to the Micah Leaverton family.
If you are unable to attend either show on Saturday, you can still make a donation by visiting HelpHopeLive.org, search for Micah’s name and contribute a tax-deductible donation.
The Leaverton’s goal is to raise $20,000 to help pay for all the extra expenses.
