By Nick Sestanovich

After 17 years, Christine Mani has taken her final bow as Benicia High School’s drama teacher. However, she will have a new role as a full-time theater instructor at Solano Community College.

Mani cites the need to help Solano’s theater department— which suffered drastic budget cuts in 2012— as her reason to leave Benicia High, an institution she still regards warmly.

“I love Benicia High,” she said. “I love the students, I love the location, I love the people and I love working for them, but like Mary Poppins, I have to leave Benicia because there’s somebody who needs me more. Right now, Solano— which used to be quite the hub of theater in our area— needed a little extra help, and I’m happy to be that help.”

Mani became a drama teacher to fulfill a lifelong love of theater.

Source: New act begins for longtime Benicia High drama teacher