MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. — In the theater where Lily Gladstone sharpened her craft, Mountlake Terrace High School drama kids, past and present, watched as one of their own was recognized at the 96th Academy Awards.
Gladstone is the first Native American to be nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in Killers of the Flower Moon.
"A lot of people are here to celebrate Lily and we're all super excited," said Jeannie Brzovic, Gladstone's high school drama teacher. "Lily always had a presence. She always did kind of stand out."
"I think what set Lily apart was just her dedication to really bringing nuance and sort of full humanity to characters," Josh Ryder, who was voted 'Most Likely to Win an Oscar' in high school alongside Gladstone, said. "It's really, really lovely and poetic to be back in this building to get celebrate."
While the event served as a celebration for Gladstone, it also was put on to ensure others have the chance to follow in the actor's footsteps.
"We are here to raise funds for our theater program," Brzovic said. "Our theater program was cut in half last year and I worry that the next set of budget cuts might be the end of this program."
"It really breaks my heart," Ryder said. "I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that this program saved my life.”
Gladstone lost out on the Best Actress Oscar to Emma Stone. Her supporters, especially the students, learned a valuable lesson: you don't always win despite being great at what you do but you can't let setbacks, whether it's losing at the Oscars or your theater program facing cuts, keep you from pursuing your dreams.
"We're working hard to keep the program alive and functioning," Brzovic said.