Up With People show features Laconia high schooler

LACONIA — The Laconia Rotary Club was the first organization to bring the international, educational troupe "Up With People" to the Lakes Region in 1972. Since then, UWP has returned many times attracting sold-out performances. Nearly 35 years ago, Kimberly (Clark) Matteson traveled, performed and worked for the program for 11 years, before settling in Dallas.

Matteson grew up on Morningside Drive and attended Laconia High School, where she was senior class president in 1982. Her parents, Dave and Bunny Clark, still live in Mallard Cove off of Elm Street.

Over the weekend, "Up With People" held their 7th annual fundraising gala at the Grand Hyatt in Denver. More than $330,000 was raised to help support the nonprofit organization. UWP's new show, "Live On Tour!" was the featured entertainment and included Laconia's own Kate Persson, a member of Laconia High School Class of 2017 and the daughter of Michael and Clare Persson. Her sister has also participated in the program. UWP has been inspiring people around the world, young and old, from more than 50 years. It was a special treat for these two to meet and see that "the granite state" continues to be represented!

Through music and action, UWP empowers youth to be positive agents of change to build a more hopeful, trusting, and peaceful world. To learn more about the program, impact, history and how you can be involved, visit www.upwithpeople.org.

Kimberly (Clark) Matteson (traveled in 1983) and Kate Persson (current cast member 2018) both from Laconia. (Courtesy photo)

Kate Persson on stage at the "Up With People" 2018 Gala in Denver, Colorado, on Saturday, March 3. (Courtesy photo)