Three Rivers College has chosen to honor Jo Nell Seifert by renaming her beloved summer camp The Jonell Seifert Children’s Drama Camp.
Seifert, who passed away on May 17 at the age of 72, directed the camp each summer and was preparing to host the 34th annual camp in July.
“Jo Nell inspired generations of children to love theater and the arts,” Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne said. “She often let kids sign up to her camp even after it was full, and in recent years, added additional weeks because so many kids wanted to participate. We were heartbroken by her sudden passing.”
The Jo Nell Seifert Children’s Drama Camp will continue in her honor with two week-long sessions, available for children entering second through eighth grades. Both camps will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center in Poplar Bluff. The first camp will be held July 13-17, and the second will be July 27-31. A performance will be held at 11 a.m. each Friday.
Megan Garland, a personal friend and former student of Seifert’s, will direct this year’s camp and can be reached at mgarland@trcc.edu.
“It’s an honor to host this year. I know she’ll be watching and smiling down on all of us,” said Garland, who is the Assistant Director of Enrollment Services at Three Rivers. “I had the opportunity to help teach the drama camp when I was in high school and had a wonderful time. Thank you to everyone who is entrusting me to carry forward a small part of her legacy.”
The deadline to register for all camps is June 30. Limited spots are available. Registration is $75 and includes a T-shirt, scripts, notebook, daily snack and drink, and Loads of Fun! Register online (online fee applies), or download the registration form to mail in or drop off. Visit trcc.edu/events for registration details.
