Throughout his years on campus, drama instructor Tom McEntee has strived to create a supportive role in his students’ lives and promote their development as actors in his classes since the fall of 2001.

“Students keep coming back to drama because I always promise the best for last,” McEntee said. “I try to make every show and performance better than the last, and improve off of the previous production.”

Although the caliber of the actors varies each year, McEntee appreciates the different qualities in his drama classes.

“Drama is different every year,” McEntee said. “I love it because the students gain a chance to perform, and I enjoy working with their creative minds.”

As a four-year drama student, senior Kayla Dones values the relationship she and McEntee have nurtured over the years.

“Ever since freshman year, we just clicked,” Dones said. “He understands his students and is just hilarious! Outside of school, he is still trustworthy and doesn’t judge his students.”

Even amid hard times at school or at home, McEntee provided a comforting atmosphere for Dones.

“He is like a dad for me when I’m going through a lot,” Dones said. “I am the person I am today because of him.”

Alumnus Jason Savage, ’07, studies at California State University, Fresno with a double major in acting and filmmaking and a minor in music. He looks back on his time with McEntee as a step toward his future career.

?Tom McEntee prepared me for acting in college in many ways,? Savage said. ?As a freshman in high school who had never memorized anything longer than a poem, I received the understudy role of Romeo, which conveyed to me that I could memorize all of the lines.”

At the time, the chore to memorize lines daunted Savage. However, with McEntee’s encouragement and easy pace, Savage completed his task and overcame stage fright.

?The concept is similar to that of an athlete who thinks he knows the limits of his endurance, but through a coach’s instruction is amazed by his ability to push beyond his own sense of strength,” Savage said. “This unlocked something within me that gave me a confidence I have never lost. ”

Savage appreciates the work ethic he gained from McEntee’s confidence in him. He finds himself able to approach difficult roles with a positive spirit, he said.

According to Savage, McEntee helped the class with a playful spirit but also taught the essential skills of drama.

?He exercised our imaginations and taught me the importance of focusing my concentration,” Savage said. “Tom [McEntee] also familiarized me with the art of monologues, which is the vehicle that can take an actor anywhere if properly fueled, but will weigh one down if not.”

While McEntee’s artistic direction familiarized Savage with several acting techniques, the personal life lesson meant the most to him, he said.

“Most important of all, is that Tom McEntee taught me to lead on and off the stage,” Savage said, “and for that, I will always be grateful.”

As a witness of Savage’s acting career since the role of Romeo, McEntee is proud of Savage’s accomplishments and participation in collegiate theater arts.

“I am honored to have taught Jason [Savage],” McEntee said. “When we saw him perform in Measure for Measure, it was such a pleasure to see him in a significant role at [CSUF].”

Senior Ani Paparigian’s ideal future career was set in motion by McEntee.

“For my freshman and sophmore year, (McEntee) had me focusing on set design, makeup and costume,” Paparigian said. “So as I got older and got lead roles, I was bummed because I wanted to do costumes and sets! I want to go to college and become a set director or probably a costume designer from the awesome experience in drama.”

Paparigian also recognizes McEntee’s unique ability to connect with students.

“He’s the best drama teacher ever,” she said, “and he always has your back.”

In addition to drama, McEntee taught Bible classes with students from all grades. Freshman Trevor York learned a great amount in his Bible class with McEntee, he said.

“He is down-to-earth and relatable,” York said. “He gets to know his students, and he taught me a lot in class. He pointed out lots of information in the Bible that I had never noticed; he gets our opinion in class, so it all made sense.”

After the first semester, McEntee will leave the school and hopes to teach elsewhere. English teacher Brianne Vogt will occupy his post as drama instructor and guide the production of Tartuffe, the play scheduled to be performed in late January or early February.