The students attending GO EXL Academy presented their end-of-year program on Wednesday, May 20. The evening began with a prayer offered by fifth grader Lilly Leavitt.

As an introduction to the evening, school director KaeLyne Pendelton explained, “We wanted to do things differently this year. Because this year we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation, we wanted to integrate the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance as part of the program.”

Her idea was for the play to be interactive, with audience participation encouraged. She envisioned the idea of the children representing influential people and symbols associated with the founding of the United States. She wrote a clever script in which the children were dressed in creative costumes representing the person or symbol they were portraying. They gave the audience information about their part, then asked them to guess the answer to “Who or what am I?”

Several familiar patriotic songs were integrated into the program. First grader Carson Martin, representing Uncle Sam, appeared throughout with jokes that added some comic relief to the evening. Fifth grader Sophia Catalano represented the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by classmate Ryan Rebic representing Francis Scott Key. The audience was then invited to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the National Anthem.

Appearing next were early childhood students Andrew Najera as Benjamin Franklin and Esme Smith as Betsy Ross. Other students participating were Charlotte Law, who portrayed Alexander Hamilton and the Gettysburg Address; Miles Barraza as George Washington; Colter Shugart as Old Glory; Parker Hill as Thomas Jefferson and Harlie Hobbs as the preamble to the Constitution. Up next were Murphy Myl as the Liberty Bell, Ronin Beal as the Louisiana Purchase and Throttle Schraft as Abraham Lincoln. Michael Carson and Jonathan Perkins portrayed the First Transcontinental Railroad. Persephone Bradley portrayed a wonderful Statue of Liberty. Juliet Garcia Skaggs presented the 19th Amendment, and Swain Adams represented Pearl Harbor.

The final symbols and people presented were Irving Berlin by Sophia Catalano, the Civil Rights Act by Kylie Gomez, John F. Kennedy by Ryan Rebic and the Apollo 11 Mission by Lilly Leavitt.

To conclude the program, Karissa Woods quoted President John Adams, who said, “America will be celebrated with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.”

Charlotte reminded us of America’s diversity and our role as a global leader in innovation, technology and cultural influence. Sophia recognized and honored the sacrifices made by Americans in service to our country. “We extend our deepest respect and appreciation to all men and women in uniform for their unwavering dedication and commitment.”

Lilly reminded us of our responsibility to pass our liberty from one generation to the next and to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who preceded us. The audience was invited to sing along to the final song, “This Land is Your Land.”

Mrs. Pendelton also gave special recognition to fifth-grade students Sophia, Charlotte and Lilly, who have attended GO EXL since preschool, and Ryan Rebic. She expressed affection and gratitude for these students, noting they feel like her own children. Thanks were also extended to Charlotte Hatch, who stepped in at the last minute to accompany the songs on the piano. Pendelton’s final comments to the audience were to “study your history.” She expressed thanks for the audience’s attendance and participation. Refreshments were then available to enjoy.