Students strut their stuff

Catholic schools hold Celebration of the Arts

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"When you do something you know that you might not be able to do, you get a really good feeling when you did it," he told the WCR.

"I really didn't think that I'd be a good speaker in front of all that huge audience. But when I did it, I felt really good."

The standing room only show, Every Child A Promise, featured performances of students from across the district.

It opened with a celebration of handbells and was followed by an array of musical numbers by choirs and bands. There were dance numbers incorporated in excerpts from musicals and a synopsis of a full-length play was staged.

Alberta Community Development Minister Gene Zwozdesky was guest conductor of ECS junior all city band when it performed New York, New York.

"I think tonight's concert is just incredible. I believe in Catholic education," Zwozdesky told the audience.

By way of drum and dance, St. Justin School performers told how some African communities go about fishing.

Aptly titled, Going Fishing, the number involved the whole school with the higher grades dancing to the tune created by the drums. Participants wore colourful shirts that visually jumped from the stage.

Grade 6 student van Soest was one of the narrators. "That was fun. It was a change from just dancing. I got to do both - dancing and speaking. I learned that I can talk in front of a lot of people."

Lacey Laderoute, 11, was the other narrator. She too had fun and learned something about some African cultures.

She believes art "can be important" especially in learning about other cultures. It also boosts her self-confidence.

"I can go and do a lot of things because I know I can speak and dance in front of a lot of people. And I don't get stage fright that easily," said the Grade 6 student.

Bishop Savaryn students sang and danced to How Does Your Garden Grow?

Teacher Chantel Nelles-Sampson said, "We worked on it for three months. I worked on it with my colleagues and lots of parents came in and made costumes.

"Students gave up their lunch hour and recess to work on choreography. It really was a school effort," she said.

Louis St. Laurent's Jolynn Kimball, 16, has been involved in the performing arts since she was a little child.

"I get a great experience. It's a lot different than just regular school," said the Grade 11 student. "If I wasn't involved in it, . . . school would probably be like a boot camp."

At the Jubilee Auditorium they presented a five-minute synopsis of their two-hour-and-15-minute play called Home Sweet Homicide.

Grade 12 student Jakub Limanowka joined drama for the first time. It gave him a break from the school routine.

"I learned so many things about life in general like, responsibility.

"The most wonderful thing I will remember was all the rehearsals. The excitement was really great."

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