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WOODS CROSS — When Janet Cook entered the auditorium of Woods Cross High School Saturday, she was met by an overwhelming surprise.
Cook, who just retired from the 18 years she spent as the high school’s beloved drama teacher, has undoubtedly spent countless hours directing students to success in that auditorium, but this time, the applause was only for her.
Hundreds of students, alumni, parents, family and friends stood and cheered as Cook entered the room, unaware of the work that went toward a surprise alumni performance in her honor.
Heather Sessions, a former student and one of the directors of the alumni show, said she and the other directors executed the plan last July, when they got word of Cook’s retirement.
Directed by alumni students Heather Sessions, Brittany Anderson, Zak Kimbrell and Stephanie Stuart, a parent of alumni students, the alumni performance is something Cook has always wanted to do, Sessions said.
“She is just one of those teachers that is going to be totally missed because it’s not just she’s teaching, she just really wants people to be successful and have the best opportunity and the best life that they can,” Sessions said.
At the show, students representing each year Cook taught performed at least one musical number from each of the musicals Cook has directed at the high school, including "Aida," "Les Misérables," "Peter Pan," "Mary Poppins" and more.
More than 100 alumni and current Woods Cross students participated in the performing and the technical part of the show. Because some of them live out of state, Sessions had the rehearsals recorded and uploaded to YouTube so participants could practice from home.
Brent Sloan
The show included some of the original choreography, video presentations and tributes to Cook from family, friends and former students.
Sessions invited the alumni to participate via Facebook, and more than 500 people responded. Although not everyone was able to make it, many sent letters that will be incorporated into a book for the teacher.
Cook said she was completely surprised by the performance, calling it surreal.
“I don’t think I ever, ever could have dreamt someone would have done something this beautiful and sweet for me,” Cook said.
I don't think I ever, ever could have dreamt someone would have done something this beautiful and sweet for me.
–Janet Cook
Shortly before the performance was scheduled to start, school counselor Carol Petersen called Cook to tell her she was going to administer the ACT test and needed help with the light board in the auditorium so the students could see.
Cook said she didn’t think about the fact students wouldn’t be taking the ACT after school was out, because Petersen always administers the test and she would do anything to help her friend.
Although it was her 65th birthday, and she thought she was headed out to take family pictures, she agreed to come to the school.
As she walked in, a large banner reading “Be Our Guest Honoring Janet Cook” greeted her and proceeded a hallway filled with posters, costumes and props from the shows she has directed at the school.
Cook said that it made her cry, even though she isn’t a crier.
Following the show, guests were invited to a catered reception so Cook could have a chance to talk to them.
Cook said she would like to give “a big thank you for the years that Woods Cross and the community and these beautiful, beautiful kids have given to me.”
Brent Sloan
