Ringing in Christmas

HELMVILLE - Everyone participated as Helmville School performed many musical numbers and two plays, "The Littlest Christmas Tree" and "A Dickens of a Christmas" December 14 at the Helmville Community Hall.

Music opened the evening by K-2 students playing "Jingle Bells" on xylophone keys. "Jingle Bells" was also performed on guitars by the 5-6th graders. "Carol of the Bells" was played 5th grader Nate Spatig on his guitar. Lucas Spatig 8th grade, played "Angels We Have Heard on High" on the piano. "Little Drummer Boy" was performed by 6th - 8th graders on bucket drums, using Home Depot five gallon buckets.

"The Littlest Christmas Tree" was performed by K-2 and 8th graders. The trees all learned the true meaning of Christmas in this play.

"A Dickins of a Christmas" was performed by all 14 of the students (K-8). This classic tale of stingy Mr. Scrooge was skillfully interpreted by the students. Learning more than one role each was necessary for the older students as there were 24 characters in the story. Many costume changes and musical numbers throughout the play kept the actors busy. During the act of "Mr. Fezziwigs Party", teachers and a local college student were part of the townspeople cast to provide couples dancing. 

"We dug through our costume boxes and borrowed parts and pieces from Janet Hauptman's extensive collection from her years of teaching at the Drummond Elementary School," said Brooks Phillips, head teacher, by email. "In addition, parents and grandparents helped outfit the kids and have them look like they were in the Victorian Era," 

"Many of the kids did not know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Nathan Spatig), so it was fun to bring classic literature to life," said Phillips.

The students wrapped up the evening by singing "Joy to the World", "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", "Up on the Housetop", and "Jingle Bells." After the performance, Santa Claus and his helper Larry appeared and passed out candy provided by the Drummond American Legion Post 125. 

"One of the highlights of the evening was William Applegate(age 6)," said Mo Mannix. "William was in the audience and jumped up and danced to every tune and shouted Bravo at the finale."