Photo Credit: The Declaration Staff

In the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Rona Perretti, played by Emma McAndrew, stops a near fight between contestants.

Emma McAndrew is a junior who attends Colonia High School. As all students, she takes great responsibility in her grades. But behind the mask of a student, lies a talent of singing and acting. McAndrew has been singing, dancing, and acting since she was 6 years old. Her passion for singing has never wavered; in fact it only grew stronger over the years.

“Singing is very fun when doing it properly. Having the proper technique is vital if you want to sound right. If you are not sure of what you are doing, it becomes difficult and not as exciting if you think and do negative things.”

McAndrew takes interest in acting as well; in fact she has a lot of experience in preforming from theatrical involvement outside of school. This year she was a character in the play Almost, Maine. A play about love, heartbreak, and hope. In Emma’s eyes, acting takes a lot of work and patience.

“I think that she is an amazing actress. She definitely knows what she needs to do and how to do it. She isn’t great. She is amazing,” stated Jasmine Montoya.

Though Emma is a very good actress she is best at singing according to Adriana Montoya.

Singing

Singing is a big part of McAndrew’s life. When singing, it requires concentration but at the same time, relaxation. You must focus through your head but release the pressure from your body. Excellence in singing takes a lot of time and a lot of patience. It is not a talent that you can echeive in just one day.

“Practice, practice, and more practice. That is what you need. Sure you need time, patience, and focus, but without training you won’t get anywhere,” McAndrew explained.

Is it true that anybody who can talk can also sing? According to our sources, yes it is. All you need to do is give effort and it’s possible. Throughout Emma’s years she has only improved. Without her daily dose of singing in the mirror while brushing her hair, and those singing lessons, McAndrew believes she wouldn’t be much good of a singer as she is today.

Acting

“I try to excel in most things but acting is my strong suit. The harder I try the easier it becomes to do it,” McAndrew stated.

After her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the CHS production of the Wizard of Oz, McAndrew was nominated by the Paper Mill Play House for best supporting actress. She hopes to get more nominations and possibly win this year for her role as Rona Peretti, former Putnam County Spelling Bee Champion and host of the Bee.

As Jasmine Montoya stated, “She does what she needs to do. She tries to become the person she has to be, and she does a great job at doing that.”

In order to act, you have to be there physically and mentally. It is very important that you arrive to practices prepared and in the zone.

It’s extremely important that you are the character that you have been assigned. And even though it may be hard to do that, there are moments when you can relate to your person. I guess the fun part in acting is being a whole new different you.”

This spring McAndrew is starring in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which opens April 3rd. She also particpated in the 2013 World AIDS Day ceremony at Colonia High School since she is a part of the International Thespian Society at CHS.