Rose Ann DiGennaro, who directed Sacred Heart High School’s production of “Damn Yankees,” called me today, obviously upset that Sacred Heart was one of only two schools not nominated for a High School Theater Award this year.

I invited her to write “an acceptance speech” (my words) for me to post here. Here’s what she wrote:

“What can I say after being omitted from the list of 37 nominated schools? To the 37 schools “Congratulations, we are happy for you and wish you luck in the finals.”

“And, Congratulations to Sacred Heart cast and crew of ‘Damn Yankees.’ We sang and danced, we acted, we ran lights, sound, props, costumes and set the stage. Most of all we brought much pleasure to our audiences while we were learning, growing and having the time of our lives.

“They come to see us year after year; they grow in number and in response to our productions. We keep hearing ‘This is the best yet.’ It was worth the months of rehearsal every day after school just to hear laughter and cheers for our efforts: ‘It was the best yet.’

“For many, this was our first time on stage.

“For a few, this was the final high school play after four years of productions.

“A few were in all eight shows.

“For one, our 2008 Yonkers Idol, it was a joy to be singing the beautiful songs of Meg Boyd.

“For all, ‘Damn Yankees’ will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

“We don’t understand why or how we could be left out when so many were included. But, while we are surprised that the judges didn’t perceive what our audiences did, our reward will always be in our performance. We loved it. Every minute of it…that tingle, that joy.

“Award or no award, you can’t stop the beat, because “we’ll always have heart!”

Rose Ann DiGennaro”