Written by: Addison Snider, Staff Writer
FRASER-HEWLETT: Twila Fraser-Hewlett talks about her high school experience and hopes for the future.
Extraordinary actor, gifted singer, talented dancer, and super scholar, Twila Fraser-Hewlett, will be saying goodbye to Poly this May as she moves on from high school. “I’m definitely going to be feeling a little sad… I’ve had a great experience here at Poly. I’d like to think I’d be proud of everything I’ve accomplished,” Twila explained when contemplating how she would feel on her last day at Poly. Twila participates in many extracurriculars here at Poly including the dance team, choir, and theater. Along with that, she is also a superstar scholar with a 4.56 GPA. Over the span of her time in high school, Fraser has mastered the art of balancing her many extracurricular activities and academics. Her blend of perfect grades and many interests have caught the eye of numerous colleges and universities, leading to a list of acceptance letters from CalArts, the Manhattan School of Music, NYU Tisch, as well as many others. Fraser hopes to take her talents in the performing arts to classic movie musicals. “Apparently La La Land is being adapted for stage and that would be so much fun to dance and sing in.” Don’t be too surprised when you see Fraser performing on any of the biggest stages of Broadway.
All this success of course doesn’t come without its challenges. In March of 2020, during Fraser’s freshman year, schools closed down. Everyone went into spring break, thinking COVID-19 would be contained within two weeks. It wasn’t until over a year later that Twila and many others got back to school. “It was rough,” Fraser stated, “and weird being in such a small environment.” Twila was, and still is, a part of many VAPA programs. When the world shut down, the performing arts were hit hard. “… when sports started to open up again, they were protected by CIF, while VAPA wasn’t.” Fraser explained the difficulties of trying to perform online as well as get the grades she wanted. A combination of internet issues and camera malfunctions made it difficult for Fraser to stay connected and attentive in class. “There were many times where I would be kicked out of the class. I feel like every day I got kicked out of class due to internet issues,” Twila explained. But despite the difficulties, Twila persevered. She made the dance team with her virtual audition and was able to participate in theater and choir once again. “I’m proud to say I pushed through and my entire class was able to push through it. And I’m proud to say I made it through that type of learning and now have a more real high school environment, cause that is not fun.”
Twila’s many high school successes didn’t come without doubts. “First day of freshman year was so scary,” Twila states. The confusion that comes with a bigger school along with the stress that comes with the higher expectations that materialize the moment you step onto Poly’s concrete campus, causes insecurities to grow quite quickly. Twila was quick with her advice for her past self, “Be confident and stop being insecure… In order to be strong, to be a strong person, you have to be confident in what you can do and believe in yourself and push yourself as hard as you can because there is so much out there and there is so much to achieve and see and do and you’re not going to get anywhere feeding into what you’re insecure about.” Twila’s successes throughout the four years of high school battled against her insecurities. She is a great role model for anyone coming into high school with doubts in their abilities. Twila is a beautiful example that with hard work and determination, you can do anything despite what anyone tells you.
Twila talked about the many things she will miss when she leaves Poly. Many of them included the small moments she gets to spend in the various clubs and extracurriculars she participates in. “I think a lot of the little things,” Twila said, “ like really small moments that I’ve had and moments being backstage… Theater is always something that is really special… having that moment of singing with a group in choir and having that shared connection through music… being apart of the Riverside Poly Dance Team has been a wonderful experience because I’ve been pushed as a dancer, but also get to be around all these wonderful people. ” She explained how she’ll miss seeing the palm trees walking through campus and seeing the endless lamplights that brighten the campus in the evenings. Twila expressed how she will miss the football games too, even though they were never her favorite. “There was always that, I don’t know that, ‘yay high school’ sort of energy that was kind of exciting to be around because even though my experience wasn’t exactly normal to other people’s experiences, since I was so heavily into the performing arts field. I also got to experience, like training as well as that almost movie dream of high school.”
Through all the ups and downs of Twila’s high school experience, two teachers specifically made a significant impact on her. Mr. Markermorse, the theater arts director at poly high school has had the honor of teaching many talented and popular poly alumni. Twila will soon be added to his list of crazy talented alumni. “Mr. Markermorse has been with me for all these four years. He always pushed for things I wanted to do, gave me so many opportunities, and he worked so hard to make sure students do well.” Another teacher that greatly impacted Twila’s high school experience was Sra. Garcia. “I loved my time with Senora Garcia,” Twila says, “ I actually met Sra. Garcia, my Spanish teacher… during my virtual classes. And she worked so hard to make it work, with the whole learning experience work and give us something positive to go to during the day because it was rough during the pandemic and then I had her again, my junior year and I enjoyed her. She is just so kind and exciting.” Twila also enjoyed her time with many of her English teachers, who(as well as Mr. Markermorse and Sra. Garcia) helped shape her high school experience
Though Twila’s high school expertise was, “eventful, at times chaotic, and pretty wonderful,” as well as filled with success and memories, she is excited for her future beyond high school. “My hope for my future is to do everything and anything. Especially with what I want to go into, going into the theater field and with that there’s so many areas and especially I want to communicate and tell stories that are impactful and connect with people.” Twila hopes to reach and move people in an artistic sense. Communicating emotion and experiences to crowds of people is one of her primary goals for the next years of her life. “My hope for my future is to do everything and anything. Especially with what I want to go into, going into the theater field and with that there’s so many areas and especially I want to communicate and tell stories that are impactful and connect with people.”
Twila Fraser-Hewlett: soon to be 2023 Poly High school graduate, Actor, Singer, Dancer, and Scholar. Twila is all these and more, but one thing she is sure to be in the future: A superstar.
“Twila is a very rare type of person as she is not only an insanely talented performer in all ways, whether that be acting, singing, dancing or choreographing, and genius. Being able to manage all Ap classes with the insane amount of time she spends on extracurriculars, she is also an incredibly kind, funny, and positive leader who always manages to inspire hope and excitement in everyone around her.”
- Joey Subriar
“She is the epitome of grace, talent and sheer willpower. There’s no corny metaphor I can use to describe her, so I will spare you the trouble. All I can say is that she is the best friend you’re ever going to have and the best actor you’re ever going to work with. Remember people like her, because you only ever meet a couple in your lifetime. She is one of my favorite people in the entire world!!!”
- Xuan-Anh Ly Biggs
“Twila has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the last two years. It’s not often that we see someone with so much passion not just for the art of theater but the department as a hole. Twilia was always kind and welcoming to any incoming students both in acting and tech. She was a phenomenal leader and Poly’s theater will not be the same without her next year.”
- Jack Boren
“Twila is one of my best friends and one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. When Twila and I first became friends I was always nervous around her because of how cool she was, but then slowly realized that she didn’t judge people based on who they are and she lives people for them. I had the opportunity to work alongside her this year in into the woods where we both played the baker and the baker’s wife and I grew so much closer to Twila for that and I also just am thankful to work alongside her in choir as well she is one of the sweetest, talented, kind hearted, devoted people in our theatre as a president and a major part of acting.”
-Nicholas Flores
“I haven’t known Twila for very long, but in the time that I have gotten to be around her, I have admired her dedication, work ethic, and passion for the arts, as well as her kind heart. She is a calm yet inspiring force within many poly communities, and is always encouraging and positive! I am honored to call such a wonderful human my friend, and I know she is going to go so far and continue to exceed every single expectation. I can’t wait to see what comes next!”
- Sydney Reed
“Twila, you’re such an amazing performer and so fun to be around. Even though I haven’t talked to you that much, you’re awesome. Also the smiley faces you drew in my libretto are awesome.”
-Kathryn Harbauer