On Sunday, December 18th, Saint Joseph School students presented their Annual Holiday Christmas Concert to a capacity crowd in the Richard A. Nowak Gymnasium. The event began with the Annual Christmas Tree lighting, reading of the poem “Christmas” by Student Council President Leah Boudreau, and a blessing by Rev. Grzegorz Chodkowski. Then, Act I continued with performances by the Pre-K 3 and 4-year-old students, Kindergarten students, and students in Grades 1 through 4. The performances, led by Saint Joseph School Music instructor Brenda Lau Anderson and accompanied by Saint Joseph Basilica organist Ms. Maria Helena Czarnecka-Cieślak, included unique renditions of The Little Drummer Boy featuring the Grade 3 students on drums and Grade 4 students performing Silent Night with ukuleles. The Saint Joseph School Choir also performed Carol of the Bells, and the 5th-8th Grade students performed Los Peces En El Río in Spanish.
Act II, choreographed and directed by Fifth Grade Instructor and Drama Club Advisor Mrs. Kelly Bailey Southworth, featured the play A Christmas Yarm by Little Big Stuff Music. The story highlighted the company, Unique Gifts from Luxurious Yarns (U.G.L.Y.), where ugly is beautiful! At the factory of the world’s leading supplier of ugly Christmas sweaters, founder Sam Ebenezer, played by Seventh Grade student Laura Ibrahim, pulls all the strings to meet demands. However, with a large order looming to get out the day before Christmas, the team of Bob Cratchit (“that’s pronounced Crochet”), played by Lukas Barbosa, Tiny Tom, played by Kirollos Ibrahim, and others weave together a plan of attack. At the same time, Sam encounters three mysterious visitors who not only help overcome some ugly obstacles but bring the fantastic, good news of Christmas!
The cast included: Samantha Ebenezer – Laura Ibrahim, Bob Cratchit – Lukas Barbosa,
Humbug – Rosemary Basha, Tiny Tom – Kirollos Ibrahim, Carole – Ayla Reed, Belle – Emily Macko, Marlo – Jada Jackson, Fuzzy – Jacob Lopez, Anna – Faith Muga, Bruno – Alexis Archambault, Reader 1 – Tenleigh Dowd, Reader 2 – Kalleia Agosto, Reader 3 – Avery Archambault, Ensemble – Ivonka Warnajtys, Renielys Garcia Rodriguez, and Mackenzie Openshaw, Sound – Mr. Joey Boudreau, and Lights, Mr. Brandon Bailey. In addition, musical numbers that Music Instructor Mrs. Brenda Lau Anderson taught featured the entire cast and the 5th – 8th Grade classes singing backup. Songs included It’s the Busiest Time of the Year, Ugly Sweater Business, Christmas Is Coming, Rejoice, Rejoice, Peace on Earth, and One Bright Star. In addition, Emily Macko, Grade 7, Rosemary Basha, and Ayla Reed, Grade 6, performed Mary Did You Know.
The show, which came to life on the stage of the Daniel & Catherine Ivascyn Performing Art Center, culminated with the arrival of Saint Nicholas, who gave presents to students. The gifts were made possible by the generosity of the Saint Joseph Home and School Association. It was a spectacular event that reminded everyone in attendance of the true meaning of Christmas!
