Taking her final bow

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Duzan stepping down as SJHS theater director

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  • Snyder Junior High School theater director Melia Duzan accepted gifts from students and staff in recognition of her upcoming retirement. Sunday’s performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. was her final show. Her last day with Snyder ISD will be May 24.
    Snyder Junior High School theater director Melia Duzan accepted gifts from students and staff in recognition of her upcoming retirement. Sunday’s performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. was her final show. Her last day with Snyder ISD will be May 24.
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Snyder Junior High School’s most recent musical production was a bittersweet moment for the students and their director.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. was Snyder Junior High School theater director Melia Duzan’s final school production. She recently announced that she will retire at the end of this school year. 
Duzan has been a part of Snyder ISD for more than 20 years, including working as Snyder Junior High School’s theater director for eight years. 
“Oh we had lots of tears,” Duzan said. “I feel very honored to be given the opportunity to work with these kids. I spent about six extra hours after school a week with the students. I have a special bond with these kids.” 
Duzan said she was happy that her final production was a favorite childhood musical. 
“This performance was very fun,” she said. “I think this was the students’ favorite one and I am glad this was my last performance.”
Duzan’s seventh and eighth grade students were thankful for Duzan’s leadership, but admit they are having a tough time with her retirement. 
“She is very hard working and I know she loves all of us,” seventh-grader Madalyn Hernandez said. “She knew how to handle all of our craziness so it’s sad knowing that she is leaving. But doing this last play with her made us all very happy. We did it with honor because we wanted this to be her best last musical.”
Eighth-grader Isabel Rocha said she feels for incoming sixth graders who will not experience learning from Duzan and incoming eighth graders who will not have learned from her for their full junior high school career. 
“I’ve learned from her for two years,” Rocha said. “When she told me she was leaving it was like part of my middle school memories were leaving. I have so many memories with her. I wish all students can experience what we did.” 
Seventh-grader Mauro Gonzalez said Duzan helped him with his acting career. 
“It’s kinda hard for me because I have been learning from her for two years,” Gonzalez said. “She was helping me with my stage fright. She was helping me reach my dreams of becoming an actor. I am thankful for being able to do one last play with her because it makes me feel happy.” 
Duzan said her last day will be May 24.