Musical Inspires Lower School Students to "Just Ask!"

“Just Ask!” is a musical based on a best-selling book by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor that explores collaboration, community and communicating about different abilities.

Brooke Thompson reads the book to her first grade class every year, so many students were familiar with its themes and characters. With funding from Barstow Friends of The Arts (FoTA)  and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation grant, all lower school students attended the musical about a group of young people working together to create a garden. They learn that each person, like each plant and flower, is different and special. The characters have different challenges, and the musical encourages children to “just ask” questions when they meet someone who is different than themselves. 

“We chose to include all of lower school, because the musical has a beautiful message of inclusivity and belonging,” Jessica Chanos, Director of Social Emotional Counseling Services and Co-Director of ID+E, said. “It explores what it means to be differently abled and how powerful the language we use is.”

A former Barstow employee, Morgan Sterrett performs in the show as a character with dyslexia, which she also has in real life. After the performance, Sterrett answered students’ questions about the show’s creation and meaning.