On Jan. 17, drama club adviser Ben Cossitor addressed the school board asking to purchase a new projector for the high school auditorium. 

According to Cossitor, the projectors would be able to create new things including; backdrops, fast moving sets and special effects. 

“We are hoping to have the projectors in time for ‘42nd Street.’ It adds new capabilities that we can’t currently do. With the projector we have, we can’t use it the way we need to for sets,” Cossitor said. 

The projector would cost around $200,000 and would last for at least ten years. 

“The projector is so expensive because projectors are specialized equipment and need enough brightness to be seen, even with lights on,” Cossitor said. 

The money for the projector will be given by state funding for special projects. A sizable donation of $25,000 came from Tom Smith. Cossitor has approval from the school board and is waiting for state approval. 

“Unfortunately, we don’t know how long it will take them [the state] to get to our paperwork. It depends on how backed up they are. It could be weeks or months,” Cossitor said. 

The projector wouldn’t only be used for the drama club but for presentations and music concerts as well. 

“Anyone that uses the stage can make use of these projectors. They can be used for music concerts or something as simple as a presentation,” Cossitor said. 

“The projector will be used for spring concerts and for holiday concerts to inform the audience of concert etiquette. It will have a positive impact on the music department, and we are excited to have it,” orchestra director Kelly Detwiler said.