By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

Ute V. Perkins Elementary School presented its annual Christmas program to a packed house in the Ron Dalley Theatre on the campus of Moapa Valley High School on Thursday evening, December 8.

Over recent years, the program; which is produced, directed and coordinated by Perkins music teacher Vince Dasal; has developed into a tradition of a true holiday extravaganza. This year’s program did not disappoint.

The program began with a performance from the Patriot Rockers dance team. Their choreography produced by team director Leslie May, was performed to the snappy tune of “Christmas is Starting Now”.

Next the curtain opened to reveal the Perkins students grades K-2 among a beautiful holiday stage setting.

Stage sets; designed by Moapa resident and Perkins mom, Katie Eastman; were exquisite. Surrounded by elegantly lighted Christmas trees the stage had a shimmering silvery white backdrop which made it every inch a winter wonderland.

The young students, dressed in their holiday best, were well rehearsed, on pitch and on cue. They gave spirited renditions of holiday favorites like “Marshmallow World”, “All I Want For Christmas is my Two Front Teeth” and “I’m Gettin’ Nothin’ For Christmas”. Little Dianne Leavitt won over the heart of every audience member in her brief solo vocal appearance.

In between acts, the crowd was entertained by the humorous antics of Perkins staff members Mike Jack and Valeri Morgan.

The children of grades 3-5 performed several holiday numbers including “Ding Dong Merrily On High!” and the Hanukah favorite “Deedle Deedle Dai”.

In addition to covering the traditional holiday favorites, this year’s program also paid tribute to American military servicemen and -women around the world who will be away from their families during this holiday season serving their country.

“When Mr. Dasal was planning the program he wondered whether to do the standard Christmas program or do something different,” said Perkins principal Ken Paul. “He wanted to have a patriotic flavor. It was important to the PTA that the program keep its Christmas theme, though. So he did a little of both.”

The Perkins Flag Squad performed a touching routine to the music of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”. The recorded music included the voices of military personnel all over the world wishing their families at home a Merry Christmas.

Couples of Perkins students then came to the stage for an elegant ballroom dance scene to the music of “Let There Be Peace On Earth”. The students completed the dance with precision and style.

Paul praised Dasal for his work with the kids in preparing for the program. He explained that the performances were the result of many weeks of preparation and rehearsals at the school.

“He really does make it look easy,” Paul said of Dasal. “But it is quite a task to get all these young students to perform the same thing at the same time. Even the youngest kids were singing in two parts. That is a tough thing to teach younger kids. And getting anyone to perform ballroom dance, especially young kids; that it pretty impressive! There is a lot more than meets the eye there as far as difficulty.”

Paul also credited the Perkins staff for coming together to support the production.

“What you also don’t see is the good relationship between the whole staff,” Paul said. “There are all kinds of adults helping backstage, who don’t get to see the show, but are making sure that kids are getting to where they need to be and keeping things in order. It couldn’t happen without that.”

The show ended with a tribute to local veterans with a special cultural significance for the school. Two U.S. Military Veterans from the Moapa Band of Paiutes performed a closing flag ceremony while the crowd stood in respect.

“It was a wonderful evening,” Paul said. “I think everyone had a great time. I’ve heard nothing but very positive things from those who attended.”