From left to right: Matilda Hessler, Markie Weymouth and Penelope Hunter take turns reciting a poem titled "Flour Sacks" to represent the Great Depression of the 1930s during the May Day Tea program at Ovando School on Wednesday May 15.
Aiden McNally replicates the maniacal laugh from the song "Thriller" by Michael Jackson while performing a choreographed dance to represent the 1980s.
Leigh Ann Valiton, supervising teacher of Ovando School, reads a monologue of historical events that shaped the country decade-by-decade to set the scene for each performance.
Ovando School K-4 teacher Andrea Tougas applauds Penelope Hunter who graduated from kindergarten on Wednesday, May 15. Tougas explained to the audience that graduation marks the beginning of what's to come and read "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by children's author Dr. Seuss. Hunter and her family are moving to Oregon, where she will begin first grade.
At this year's May Day Tea, community member Sandra Roe was honored for her work with the Ovando Community Education Endowment and was gifted this bench made by Scott Gordon. The quote on the bench is from Marian Wright Edelman and says "Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."
OVANDO - Despite the busyness that comes with the end of the school year, Ovando School's supervising teacher Leigh Ann Valiton found time to prepare and host the school's annual May Day Tea on May 15.
With choreographed dances and a poetry recitation students showcased major cultural themes throughout American history, decade-by-decade, beginning with the 1920s. Valiton prepared a series of monologues in order to set the scene for the different performances. The monologues highlighted major historical events that shaped each decade.
Students danced to ragtime, "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley and busted out their best disco moves to "YMCA" by the Village People. To bring the program to present-day, students danced to "Watch Me" by Silento.
In addition to the May Day Tea program, community member Sandra Roe was honored for her work with the Ovando Community Education Endowment (OCEE) and was gifted a bench made by Scott Gordon. The goal of OCEE was to raise funds for the school.
According to Valiton, Roe lead the charge but the success of the group was a community endeavor. The school is such a vital part of the community not only for the students but also as a community resource for large gatherings.
"They [OCEE] got an endowment and in about five years they met their [fundraising] goal," said Valiton. "They wanted to ensure that the school would be here forever."
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