I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Starr Hergenrather and discussing her time at Analy High School. Hergie, as she is called by her students, has led the Analy theater program for many years while still teaching dance and acting. She has directed and produced many fantastic Analy productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Importance of Being Earnest, Oliver, and Cinderella, to name a few. Her most recent success was Into the Woods, a wonderful piece that featured some familiar members of the Analy student body.

Q: How long have you taught at Analy?
A: 16 years
Q: What are your favorite aspects of the Analy community?
A: I like the size of our campus; I love our staff; I love the kids. I love that we’re in Sebastopol. I like the size of our classes. They’re not too large, and that way, teachers and students have more of an opportunity to get to know each other.
Q: How did you first get involved in acting and theater?
A: I was one of those kids playing dress-up. I was the first TV generation, and saw people perform on television as a little kid. I was about four or five when we got a TV, and it was a big deal. My mom was also really into Halloween, and we always had costumes. I always assumed a character. In junior high, I got into theater. I was in our little theater all through high school, even got to direct. I was also a jock.
Q: How were you first inspired to become a teacher?
A: I guess I just liked bossing people around. I would do things like run carnivals in our neighborhood, so I guess that was my inspiration. Plus, I was inspired by my theater teacher.
Q: What changes have you seen over the course of your career?
A: There have been lots of changes; some good and some bad. In general, there has been a degradation of respect from teachers to students and students to teachers. It goes both ways. Also, it makes me sad when we lose courses.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?
A: Interaction with my students. I love learning, and am constantly learning. I learn from my students, and hope they’re learning from me. I love that climate.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
A: I’m looking forward to staying home on the weekends, working on my farm, having more time with my grandchildren, and doing community theater. I hope some of my students come do some community theater after they graduate.
There is no way to thank Hergie enough for what she has given us. She truly is a star.