May 7, 2020

Dayton, TN --  Erin is the daughter of James and Angie Couch.  She has two sisters, Hannah Couch and Kaitlyn Miller.  She attended Spring City Elementary and Middle School before attending Rhea County High School.    She will be attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the fall with a major in Musical Theatrer and a minor in Enviormental Sciences.  Erin is one of many at Rhea County High School, who have lost their last three months of their senior season.

What are some of your favorite high school moments?

"I loved driving with my friends between practice or performances."

Talk about your career after high school.

"I will be attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the fall with a major in Musical Theatre and a minor in Environmental Sciences. I hope to attend the Disney College Program and further my education on ways to save marine life."

Can you give some detail on the Disney College Program and your interest in marine life?

"The Disney College program is an internship with Disney. Students can go to Florida or California for a semester and work in the parks. You can be chosen to do any job from Janatorial to driving the monorail. You live on Disney property and get paid to work for them."

"I've always loved the water. When my family would go to the aquarium, I would be so fascinated with the marine life.  I even had a marine biology video game when I was little.  I just find marine life to be so interesting."

What are some of your favorite high school moment(s)?

"I loved extracaricular activites as youth(dance,pageants, sports, etc).

What are some of your high school extracracular activities and outside activities?

"I danced at Dayton Christian Ballet for 13 years before focusing my time in musical theatre. I' ve been in over 20 productions in the last 10 years. Most of them being performed at the Tennessee Valley Theatre."

"I was in the Theatre program at RCHS for 3 years and was a part of the Singing Eagles for 2 1/2 years."

"I was your 2018 Jr. Miss Spring City and 2018 and Jr. Miss Fairest of the Fair. I have been in countless plays at the Tennessee Valley Theatre.  Most recently I was Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde Jr." I had the time of my life.  It was the last youth play I could participate in at the TVT.  I was supposed to be in The Fairy Godmother in Rodger and Hammerstein's "Cinderella", but covid-19 caused the cancellation of that show.  I was also supposed to have my last Chorus concert on May 3rd.  It would have been an entirely Disney concert."

What are some of your other interests/hobbies?

"I love anything to do with Disney; the parks especially.  I started painting my senior year and have attempted to make my own costumes a few times."

Do you have a favorite bible verse/quote/saying?

"Theres a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of everyday" by-Walt Disney."

Did you have a favorite subject/class in school?

"I love my theatre family.  I am going to miss being able to see them everyday. We could really be ourselves around each other."

Who was your favorite teacher in school?

"Mrs. Canastrari is like my second mom.  She makes sure all of her students are doing well and always encourages them to try their best, and step out of their comfort zones."

Do you have a favorite movie?

"Quarintine has made me start watching series that I have not before, so right now my favorite movie is Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones."

What has been the impact of losing last part of senior year to Covid-19?

"Covid-19 has caused me to miss out on so many last things in high school.  I feel like there is no closure.  I didn't get to have my last play and concert with my friends, or even hear my name called on awards day.  I feel like the class of 2020 will always have a part of them missing because every other class has gotten to experience these things."

Do you have any interesting things you learned/did/rediscovered during the time away from school?

"I take joy in the small things in life.  I've built the entire Mellinium Falcon in minecraft and I'm really proud of that.  I've spent more time with my family and gotten to take a break from the stress of doing something all the time."

Has covid-19 changed your way of looking at life?

"I've become a happier person all around.  I'm trying to look on the positive side of this and other things in my life."

Any special clubs, organizations you belong to?

"RCHS Theatre department, Rhea County Singing Eagles, and the Tennessee Valley Theatre are clubs I belong to."

Who is your favorite disney princess when you were young?

Growing up my favorite Disney Princess was probably Ariel, but it wasn't really by choice.  My little sister was obsessed with "The Little Mermaid" and would watch it constantly.  I ended up having to also watch it constantly because we shared a room.  I was also Ariel in "The Little Mermaid Jr." at the TVT my 7th grade year."

Do you have any advice for incoming freshman to make high school experience better?

"Take joy in what you do and be yourself.  The right people will come to you, so dont change yourself.  You are perfect the way that you are."