Youth in Focus

By Richard A. Ross

	Contributed photo Bradley Diuguid, senior at Eldred Central School.

Acting opens
the door to
self-confidence

Bradley Diuguid finds Eldred Central School a welcoming and nurturing environment where being smart and theatrical are considered positive attributes by both peers and staff

ELDRED, NY — Everybody loves Bradley. No, that is not the name of a new TV comedy show; it is quite simply the truth. The adoration and respect that he currently enjoys is a product of many factors including his fine academics, his writing, his engaging demeanor and his well-deserved reputation as a great actor.

Drama may have been the magical elixir that transformed Bradley from the “nerd” he claims he used to be to his current status as one of Eldred’s shining stars. Bradley also attributes his evolution to two other significant moves: exchanging the glasses he once wore for contact lenses and moving from Monticello to Eldred, a place where, he feels, it has been far easier for him to be himself.

Bradley’s acting actually began in Monticello back in fifth grade in an after school program started by Catskills IDEA. Initially his involvement was limited to working the lights, but soon he made the transition from backstage to front stage in a KIDSACT production of “Androcles and the Lion.” Involvement with drama abated until ninth grade when he once again worked in a KIDSACT show entitled “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead.” That same year at Eldred, the drama teacher at the time, Mrs. Jensen, got him involved with “Madrigal,” a Renaissance theme play and steered him into the leading role of “Into the Woods.” That performance won Bradley much praise. His dramatic experience widened in tenth grade when he appeared in “Crazy For You,” and once again in eleventh grade in his performance in “Anything Goes.” This year he will appear as professor Harold Hill in “The Music Man,” which will be staged on March 28 and 29.

Bradley is very proud of the fine sets for Eldred’s theatre productions designed by art teacher Mr. Bruce Bidwell who just retired in June. Mr. Bidwell has promised to help work on the sets for this year’s production of “The Music Man” along with the oil painting and studio art students.

Bradley recently won high praise for his Sullivan County award-winning essay in the Voice of Democracy contest entitled “Freedom’s Obligation.” The essay was a required piece of writing in his college English Composition class taught by Eldred’s Regina Campbell. The thoughtful and insightful writing is made even more dramatic by his fine reading of it. All entries had to be recorded. According to Bradley, “Like a floating soap bubble, freedom is fragile. We must protect it so that it is not burst by those who seek to destroy it out of jealousy, vengeance and misguided spite.” He goes on to say “Each and every one of us who lives in a free society has a responsibility toward seeing that our freedom, as well as the freedom of others, is upheld.” This entry will now be judged against other fine essays from the region and perhaps even the state or nation.

Bradley does not mince words when he talks about the value of writing and acting. “I treasure my ability to write. If I couldn’t write or act, I wouldn’t be able to express myself.”

Bradley currently serves as the Senior Yearbook Copy Editor. In this capacity, he is responsible for gathering and editing the senior profiles. He is a member of the National Honor Society and vice-president of the senior class. Bradley loves music. He used to play the double bass in Monticello, took electric bass lessons for a while and picked up the trombone back in fifth grade. He has also sung in senior chorus. As if Bradley wasn’t busy enough, he also serves as the student representative to the school board.

Bradley has applied to a number of fine colleges and is contemplating a major in theatre education or English. One of the following schools will be lucky if Bradley ends up going there: SUNY New Paltz, Ithaca, Binghamton, Emerson, Skidmore, Albany or Fordham.

Bradley’s fine character and impressive achievements have not been lost on Superintendent Candace Mazur. She glowingly describes him as “The kid you would want to have. He is so intelligent, quick-witted and pensive, a real take-charge kid.”

This week’s youth in focus has used writing, acting, and student government to ensure that all the world is his stage.