For many around the
country, December 14th brings thoughts of tragedy and loss. For
Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT), December 14th brings bittersweet
memories.
Four days a week,
sometimes twice a day, a caravan of school buses brings thousands of children
through our doors to view our productions. Prior to their arrival, their
teachers spend time on the phone and email with our Registrar, who helps to
plan their trip.
For 32 years, that
Registrar was a woman named Lorna Turner. Lorna was committed to working with
teachers all over Middle Tennessee and beyond to ensure the children’s field
trips were a success. This started by
talking to the teachers to share each program’s curriculum guide and prepare
for the show. It continued with leading some teachers through our financial
assistance program to get them the right ticket price to make the trip happen.
And when the day came, Lorna was often the person who greeted the children and
their teachers at the door.
Last year, Lorna retired
from her position at NCT. It provided an opportunity for us to celebrate her
years of work here, and the millions of lives she affected over the years. Even
Mayor Karl Dean got involved, issuing a proclamation recognizing December 14th
as Lorna Turner Day.
Lorna’s position at NCT has
since been filled by a team of equally committed individuals who continue her
work. Through this team, Lorna’s legacy of
service to the children of Middle Tennessee goes on.
Like Lorna Turner, there
are countless others across the country who work so hard to give our children
the opportunities they need to flourish and grow as they learn. This weekend,
while we recognize the anniversary of this tragedy, let’s also find some
comfort in the good things and good people our children will encounter in the
coming year.
