By Shelby Siegfried
for the Register
Jordan Head, a recent graduate of St. Cecilia High School in Hastings, was named a 2023 National Finalist in the Nebraska High School Theater Academy Showcase, also known as the “Jimmy Awards,” the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.
Head performed and was honored at The Orpheum Theater in Omaha June 4 during the Nebraska High School Theater Showcase. Out of the 14 finalists, two were be selected to travel to New York for a week-long experience that includes coaching from Broadway performers.
Head showcased her talent in the 2022 St. Cecilia musical as Fiona in “Shrek the Musical” and as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” in 2023. Musical director Kathrine Welk, who has been Head’s voice coach since the eighth grade, commended her remarkable work ethic and growth as an actress.
“Jordan has an incredible talent and I am proud and blessed to have been part of her musical journey,” said Welk.
Head transferred to St. Cecilia High School as a junior and credits her success on stage to her Catholic education.
“I knew I was searching for something, but I didn’t know what,” she reflected. “I ultimately realized that what I was searching for was God.”
Prior to attending St. Cecilia, Head said she had little personal connection to God, but her first religion class proved to be life-changing. It opened her eyes to her faith and further fueled her pursuit of God.
Father Thomas Brouillette, chief administrative officer of St. Cecilia, acknowledged that Head’s decision to choose the school was guided by the Holy Spirit. He described her as a positive and generous person who was open to finding Christ, even if she wasn’t initially aware of what or whom she was seeking.
St. Cecilia’s mission statement, inspired by the writings of Pope Benedict on Catholic Education, emphasizes providing students the opportunity to encounter Christ, grow in knowledge, and become witnesses of the gospel. The school’s Campus Ministry team introduced the phrase “AG2G” (ad majorem dei gloriam, or All Glory to God) several years ago. This mantra has helped many students, including Head, find meaning and purpose in their academic, artistic, and athletic pursuits.
With a shift in perspective, Head began dedicating her endeavors, including theatrical performances, to the glory of God.
“No matter what I do, no matter if I mess up, I’m going to glorify God and do my best to be what He wants me to be,” she said, highlighting her reliance on prayer before and after activities at St. Cecilia. This change in mindset propelled her to excel on stage and on the softball field, where she played a crucial role in leading the Bluehawks softball team to the 2022 NSAA Class C Softball State Runner-up position.
Head plans to attend Concordia University on a scholarship to pursue a degree in music education while playing on the softball team.
“Hastings Catholic Schools helped me reach my potential as a student, an athlete, and a performer, but most importantly it brought me closer to God,” she said.
Two students from Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo received awards at the June 4 event in Omaha: Jack Wyllie was one of 20 students across the state named “Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role,” and Leah Hurley was one of two students to be awarded “Outstanding Achievement in Stage Management.” Xander Monson and Sarah Gygi from Lourdes Central of Nebraska City participated in the Showcase Ensemble.
