GBS Students Perform “Those Were the Days” and Show They Still Are

Guy Benjamin School fifth grade teacher Lisa Penn, left, helps hand out gifts to parents, friends and speical senior citizen guests with Santa Claus and Kindergarten/first grade teacher Patrice Harley and her elves during the school’s annual Christmas Program in Coral Bay.

Guy Benjamin School students ushered in the holiday season with their delightful performance of “Those Were The Days,” an original play written by GBS teacher Lisa Penn, on Wednesday morning, December 20.

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A large crowd of parents and special senior citizen guests enjoyed the program.

 

Family and friends, as well Love City’s senior citizens, came out to the small elementary school in Coral Bay for the annual Christmas program where sixth grade students were dressed like seniors themselves.

The student-seniors lamented the passing days of yore, when friends gathered at the holidays to sing and dance the maypole.

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Students acted the parts of senior citizens, above, during the GBS Christmas program, much to the delight of the crowd, which included many of Love City’s senior citizens.

Students as Seniors
Making their wishes come true students first sang Spanish renditions of “Jingle Bells” and “O Holy Night” as well as the holiday favorite “Feliz Navidad.”

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Alison Manion leads students in a layered musical piece from Ghana.

Students then wowed the crowd on percussions under the leadership of Alison Manion, a music teacher from the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Mass., who was vacationing on St. John.

Manion only spent two days with the students, but taught them a seven-layered musical piece from Ghana called Kpang Logo, in that short time.

GBS students have not had a music instructor all year and obviously enjoyed and relished their time with Manion.

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GBS students brought back old-time customs above, by dancing the Maypole during the school’s Christmas program.

Maypole and Quadrille
Old-time traditions were on display with students expertly performing a Quadrille dance called by Penn and dancing the Maypole.

After wrapping up the Maypole ribbons, the students recited Christina Rossetti’s poem “My Gift, From a Christmas Carol.”

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Second grade angels entertained the crowd during the festive program.

The religious meaning of Christmas was evident as students performed a nativity scene with some students decked out like angels and wise men and other as shepherds. All of the students recited their lines without a hitch.

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Oliver Oat and Kieanu Penn recite their lines while playing the role of shepherds.

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Faculty and friends of GBS sing “Good Morning, Good Morning,” at the beginning of the school’s Chirstmas program.

Keeping Spirit Alive
The younger students, dressed as elves with pointed felt hats, came out next and sang “Santa Claus is Coming To Town.” The big man himself even made an appearance and handed out gifts for all in attendance.

Wrapping up the morning’s performance, the students took the percussions again and did an encore performance of Kpang Logo.

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Mrs. Harley’s K-1 class sings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

The morning was a wonderful combination of traditional holiday dances and songs, which kept the spirit of the season alive. No one left without a smile on their face as the children spread Christmas cheer.