Go Exl Academy Presents All-American Christmas

By LAURA ROBISON

The Progress

The GO EXL Academy, under the direction of KaeLyne Pendleton, presented its annual Christmas program on Thursday, Dec. 14.

This year, the 16 students in the program joyfully spoke and sang their parts in the All-American themed pageant.

This mini-musical by Teresa Paul Jennings was adapted by Pendleton to reflect more on the true meaning of Christmas. Pendleton said that the kids had been preparing for two months, not only to learn and memorize their parts, but to learn about American history as well.

Parents, grandparents and community members flocked to the Old Logandale School to watch their excited kids perform. The show began with Charlotte Law leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Then Quincy Kimball offered a prayer.

There was plenty of music sung wonderfully by the children. Some like “We Gather Together” and “Over the River and Through The Woods” emphasized the importance of family gathering as an American Christmas tradition. Others, like a very enthusiastic rendition of the African American Spiritual “Children, Go Where I Send Thee,” highlighted the importance of all different cultures in the American experience.

There was even a performance of “Yankee Doodle Santa,” a fun departure from the familiar American folk tune, which featured a dancing Santa dressed in American red, white and blue.
James Carson performed a vocal solo “Away In A Manger”, while Charlotte Hatch accompanied on piano along with Walter White on violin.

A Christmas pageant would not be complete without a nativity. The children were featured in all of the parts of the traditional Christmas story.

Janelle Hobbs, mother of GO EXL student 4-year old Harlie, attended with her parents, Jeff and Brenda Chalfant. “The play was a lot of fun,” she said. “Even the preschoolers knew when to get out all of their little props. The costumes were really cute. And there was even a surprise visit from Santa Claus after the play was over.”

After the adorable and educational presentation ended, Pendleton addressed the audience acknowledging community members, volunteers and Go EXL staffers in bringing about the program.
“This is a lot of hard work but it is definitely worth it,” she said. “None of this would be possible without each and every one of you and I am grateful for everyone.”