By Amanda Moses
On June 23rd, Spring Creek Towers Youth programs joined together for an end-of-the-year virtual extravaganza entitled Showing Unity in the Community, showcasing the sheer tenacity and talent of both the staff and their students.
Showing Unity in the Community was a two-hour evening special for parents, families, and friends all across the globe to enjoy. The event highlighted the students’ abilities and the ingenuity of the Spring Creek Towers’ instructors and directors, who seamlessly coordinated a hybrid learning experience.
At 6:00 PM, Youth Director and Event Coordinator Eurydice Robinson welcomed all to the show, thanking staff, parents, and students for their steadfast dedication. She also led a commemoration piece dedicated to all of those who passed away from COVID-19 and/or other ailments during the past 15 months of the pandemic.
“Last year was difficult for many due to the novel coronavirus, and with social distancing and quarantining, we’ve lost touch with many of our friends and colleagues. We honor the hundreds of thousands who perished from COVID-19 and all those who were unable to say goodbye to their loved ones and friends,” Robinson said upon initiating a moment of silence.
After a moment of reflection, the Spring Creek Youth Symphony (SCYS) opened the event with their traditional “Spring Creek March,” gearing up all of those in attendance for a festive night.
SCT Youth Programs
The Spring Creek After School Program completed the school year with a fully remote- engagement five days a week from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM. Each day was focused on working with the students on homework help, engaging in artistic projects with LEAP, learning how to code, having a blast on Fun Fridays, participating in Lights On Afterschool, and other activities.
For their end-of-the-year performance, each after-school group created a video featuring the lessons they learned together through ice breakers, puzzles, and designing comic book stories. One student shared that her math grades vastly improved through the support she received from homework help.
The Spring Creek Youth Symphony (SCYS) produced and performed several musical renditions, including a swinging jazz rendition of “Sway” and “Spain.” Students pre-recorded their individual performances, which were then edited to create “ensemble videos.” The musical selections demonstrated the many months of discipline and dedication of both students and instructors.
Students of the Spring Creek After School Media Club honed their digital skills remotely using their cell phones to film a puppet show. Under the instruction of Teen Central Director Lonai Mosely and teaching artist Eileen Level, the children wrote an original science fiction comedy—utilized pet guinea pigs as actors—and created sock puppets to tell the tale of a battle between the good forces of sock puppet legends and battle mutant guinea pigs across time and space in Red Moon Lava.
Starrett Judo Club judokas were featured in a photo collage documenting the virtual and in-person lessons during the past 15 months. Led by Sensi Parnel Legros and assisted by co-coaches Ms. Washington and Mr. Bonserio, the judokas displayed their knowledge and discipline of Japanese martial art. While much of their practice was held virtually, three students participated in an international competition in North Carolina last month, and each one brought back a bronze medal.
Garden Educator Jacqui Roytman created a garden play bridging each of her classes with PS 346, Judo, and the SYCS. Together they created an original play, narrated by Roytman, with original musical compositions by SYCS Director Mark Thrasher. Orchestra students, judokas, and students of PS 346 are the featured performers in this play about the gifts we all receive from our garden.
Spring Creek Teen Central also showcased their hybrid lessons through a video promotion piece highlighting their Anime Club, digital game sessions, swimming lessons, and even in-person basketball games.
Culminating the grand spectacle was a musical piece by SCYS that transported attendees to a galaxy far, far away—a Star Wars musical mash-up c featuring the film’s theme song, Tatooine Desert, the Star Wars Cantina, and even the newest Mandalorian opening tune.
“The students and staff of SCT programs put on an amazing virtual end-of-year performance celebrating ‘Showing Unity in our Community.’ I am incredibly proud of my team and the young people that have worked with us throughout the pandemic to show unity in their community. I would like to give a big thank you to the Starrett Judo Club, Spring Creek Youth Symphony, Spring Creek Teen Central, Spring Creek Garden, and Spring Creek After School Programs. Thank you all for your tremendous efforts, hard work, and dedication,” Robinson said.
Screenshots by Amanda Moses
