Addison Trail Theatre helps students with special needs

On Dec. 14, 12 Addison Trail Theatre students traveled to Marklund in Bloomingdale to help with the school’s holiday show.

Marklund is a nonprofit organization that serves infants, children, teens and adults with serious and profound developmental disabilities and special health care needs. Addison Trail students set up chairs and tables and were paired with a student from Marklund. They also helped Marklund students get on stage and press a button that said their lines, took students to see Santa and assisted students with opening presents.

This was the first time Addison Trail students went to Marklund, and they look forward to participating again.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” said Addison Trail senior Morgan Pirtle.

Addison Trail Theatre Director Anna Jakubka Court said it was an unforgettable opportunity.

“We try to help our students complete community service projects, but sometimes they do not see the direct impact they are making,” Jakubka Court said. “After volunteering at Marklund, our students were able to work one on one with another kid and see how much they were brightening their day.”