School pays tribute to ailing drama teacher
Doug Carroll
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 31, 2007 11:47 AM

Highland Junior High School will say goodbye to Chuck Day, the only drama teacher it has known, with this week's production of the musical Into the Woods.

The three shows Thursday through Saturday will serve as a last hurrah for Day, who is in his early 40s and whose health has slowly deteriorated from the effects of Lou Gehrig's disease. He is in a wheelchair.

"He's an incredible man," said Renae Aston, who has had three daughters perform for Day over the years. "He is single and doesn't have kids of his own. His kids have been the ones he has taught."





Highland parents plan to use donations from the three shows to fund home health visits for Day, who is expected to retire at the end of the semester. An effort is being made to reunite alumni from his plays and musicals for Saturday's show.

"I have known Chuck for years, and the students of Highland Junior High love him," said Steve Abaroa, drama teacher at Highland High.

Aston said that Day's good humor has brightened Highland Junior High since the school of 1,200 students opened in 1998.

"He has been a wonderful teacher and director," she said. "He always had a smile on his face for all those he came in contact with.

"We are so sad about (his illness) and want to do something as a tribute, to help him."

Into the Woods will be performed at 7 each night at the school on Guadalupe Road east of Power Road in Mesa. For more information, call Aston at 480-242-7279.

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