In Byron, family and community are often woven tightly together, but for sisters Havah and Atalie Gebbia, that bond plays out in a particularly vivid way—under the lights of the theater stage, in the halls of Byron Middle School, and in the rhythms of their busy, joy-filled lives. Sixth-grader Havah and eighth-grader Atalie are separated by just two years, but their shared experiences—and their shared love of theater—make them feel like twin stars orbiting the same bright constellation.

For Atalie, theater is practically second nature by now. She’s already been part of eight productions, from Footloose in fifth grade to Willy Wonka, Freaky Friday, James and the Giant Peach, Finding Nemo, Moana, The Lion King, and most recently, Frozen Jr., where she took the stage as Sven the reindeer. “Every play is like a family,” she said. “You can just have fun around them, and you know they’ve got your back.” With each role, Atalie has stretched her talents, whether as the comedic chicken Heihei in Moana or as a key part of ensemble casts in bigger productions. The joy for her isn’t just the performance—it’s the people, the camaraderie, and the stories she helps bring to life.

Havah, meanwhile, is no newcomer herself. With seven shows under her belt, she has played everything from a teacup in Beauty and the Beast to a variety of other ensemble roles in The Lion King and Moana. Most recently, she portrayed middle Anna in Frozen Jr., singing portions of the beloved “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” For a sixth grader, that’s no small feat—balancing nerves and excitement before a live audience. “It’s a little bit nervous, but also exciting,” Havah admitted. “When they applaud, it just makes you feel really proud of yourself. It’s a really good feeling.”

The sisters’ connection to Frozen Jr. ties them to younger castmates too, like second grader Charlie Wilmarth, who charmed the audience as Olaf. For Byron, the musical became a community-wide celebration, one that showcased the talents of its middle school and elementary students. Together, they built more than a snowman—they built an experience that their town will remember.

But the Gebbia girls are far from one-dimensional. Atalie’s schedule includes soccer, volleyball, piano, youth group, dance, and even master classes in jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance. She loves hip hop most of all, but she’s eager to stretch herself, exploring new forms and finding balance across activities. “I don’t really have a main thing anymore,” she laughed. “I’ve just had so many other things mushed in.” That balance, she realizes, makes her relatable to more people and gives her opportunities to explore different communities.

Havah, too, thrives in variety. She’s recently discovered a passion for volleyball, where she loves being part of the team and learning more about the game . “It’s like being a goalie in soccer,” she said. “There’s pressure, but it’s fun and exhilarating.” While dance and theater remain close to her heart, she is also looking forward to engaging with and helping the community through Builder’s Club, a middle school service organization.   In addition to that, she’s already considering future paths—from becoming a PE teacher at Byron to working in cosmetology or child therapy.

What both sisters share is a profound sense of gratitude. They know they’ve been given extraordinary opportunities—not just to participate, but to thrive. “Compared to other people, we have  it so good here,” Atalie reflected. “Our parents are so kind, and our community is so supportive.” Their dad’s social energy and ability to make people laugh— the neighbor who talks in the driveway for an hour—has rubbed off on them, making them approachable and comfortable in the spotlight. Their mom, meanwhile, gifted them their distinctive names and a quiet encouragement to pursue passions.

School also plays a central role in shaping their outlook. Atalie lights up when she talks about Mrs. Fletcher, her social studies teacher. “She’s very loud,” she laughed, “but also sweet and understanding. She makes history interesting.” Havah, on the other hand, treasures writing with Mrs. Dueth, who, she says, makes the subject fun and engaging. Beyond academics, both girls are avid readers: Atalie recently finished Murder on the Orient Express, while Havah enjoys Stuart Gibbs’ FunJungle series and devoured his popular Spy School books.

It all adds up to a portrait of two sisters who are growing into themselves with both seriousness and delight. They talk about careers in cosmetology, therapy, teaching, and entrepreneurship, but those ideas are less about narrowing paths and more about expanding horizons. They want to help others, to create, to teach, to heal—all while finding joy in the process.

Their story is Byron’s story too: a small-town community where opportunities abound, where encouragement flows freely, and where every student, no matter their grade, can step onto the stage—literal or metaphorical—and shine. For Havah and Atalie, that stage is wide open. And they are ready, together, to make the most of it.