As a face of Ames High’s impressive theatre department, senior thespian Ali Sandler is now preparing to depart from stage she’s grown to love.

Her work in theatre dates all the way back to second grade, with Story Theatre Company. A theatre company that provides acting opportunities for children. Her first role was as a tourist in “Murder at the Tip Top Hotel.” The then eight year old held her own on stage with her adult co stars, drawing many laughs from her grown up audience.

“It was the first time I felt the thrill of performing. It was all those weeks of rehearsals and repetition finally coming together to create something captivating and entertaining. I haven’t been able to quit ever since.”

It’s no surprise that Ali continued her work and brought it with her to AHS. This year she is president of the Thespian Club, as well as an International Honors Thespian. She’s gone to state twice in the large group Speech competition, and was even a state qualifier.

She starred in Ames High’s version of Almost, Maine as a Junior last year and came back to the play for Story Theatre Company, playing Marcy, Marvalyn, and Glory, between the two productions.

Next year Ali will study in Paris, France  for a year before heading off to the University of Iowa. She’ll be living in the 9th district of Paris.

“Madame Dobernecker cares about her job and the language, which makes learning from her engaging and entertaining. Over the past four years this has fostered a love of French and a passion to pursue studying language in the future.”

She’ll make her directorial debut in her senior directed one act, Love/Sick, which hits the Ames High stage April 14th and 15th

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