The spotlight was on many students during this year's Jellybean festival. The Jellybean Festival is an event which invites students with disabilities from many districts to perform on stage and show off their talents. Kala Loughary is one of the sponsors of the Jellybean Festival, and she’s happy to be a part of it.

“I became one of the sponsors of the Jelly Bean festival when I took over the theatre department at Farmington High School after the passing of Dianne Mays-Neilson.” Loughary said “It is definitely something that I am very happy to continue.”

Many schools are invited to the event, according to Loughary, by Ms. Mays-Neilson. Sometimes the event is even hosted at schools other than Farmington High School.

“Other schools were invited by Ms Mays-Neilson and each year, even more schools come to the event.” said Loughary “Some years the event is hosted by Ste Genevieve High School.”

The city of Farmington provides all the tech related equipment.

“Seventh grader Emory Neilson runs the sound. She does this along with her father Brandon Neilson.” Loughary said "The two do this to honor the memory of their mother and wife.”

In the Jellybean Festival, the performers are assisted with helpers nicknamed buddies. Fiona Thomas, one of the volunteer buddies at the Jellybean, enjoyed her choice to be a part of it after missing it the year prior. She found it fun to see the variety of talents from each of the school districts while she was there.

“The jellybean festival is awesome.” Thomas said “I volunteered through theatre. I did it because one, I didn't get to go last year so I wanted to see what it was, and two, I like speaking and was actually really interested to do this. I think it is so fun to go and watch kids from all different districts come to this event and for others to watch all the different talents that the students perform.”

“My favorite performance was probably the first girl who sang the national anthem.” Thomas said “Backstage she was so sweet and talked to everyone.”

Next year the Jellybean Festival will take place at Ste. Genevieve in March.