Impressive dragon (used with a black light in a stunning performance by the troupe)
It has been a long time since GovsPLUS has been together indeed!
But first, a flashback!
Due to a conflict with a popular SSAT test date for our 8th graders, the December 14 trip to Boston University was attended by a small contingent of loyal (and test-free!) 7th grade students 🙂
7th graders (and Leonelys!) at the game
Our small but vigorous group joined Ms. O’C and her varsity basketball team for a trip to see Govs grad (and classmate/teammate/friend of Brett, Paola, and Jalina) Kat Fogarty ’13 sport her visiting Marist uniform against the Terriers. In a surprise treat, Jalina came too!!! It was great to see all the students who were able to attend this event!
Sarah ’13, Kat ’13, JALINA and Ms. O’C!
And now for 2014!
GovsPLUS opened the New Year with an energetic and impressive performance by Folk Art Boston (folkartboston.org) – a group of local teens who study traditional Chinese visual and performing art forms. Organized by Ms. Jade Qian, Govs Chinese instructor, the community-wide event included a pre-performance afternoon of arts and crafts in celebration of the upcoming lunar new year. GovsPLUS students joined Govs Chinese language students, faculty and staff families, and invited guests for this fun afternoon which included traditional paper lantern making, mask painting, and a wide selection of clay animal building.
Paper Lanterns with Julian and Chloe
Jessica, Rafael, and Martha paint masks
Chloe, Ayanna, Julian and Govs students Charles and Audrey build clay animals
There was even a calligrapher on hand to write your name in Chinese characters on personalized bookmarks. Imagine his surprise when Chynna asked him to make one for her!
Chynna shows off her name in Chinese (imagine that calligrapher’s surprise!)
But perhaps one of the more popular pre-performance activities were the yo-yos. Kiah, Youssef, and Joshua spent a large portion of the afternoon learning the craft from the high school age performers of Folk Art Boston. It was clearly a difficult skill to master… which made the yo-yo segment of the performance that much more impressive! Wow were those kids good!
Kiah gets a lesson from the HS students…
…It is clearly a very difficult skill to master!
Here is Youssef giving it a try!
Look at Josh go!
After A LOT of practice, Kiah, Youssef, and Joshua were able to yo-yo together!
The performance that followed was nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately, stage lighting made it challenging to capture a good photograph. Still, it was enriching and energizing afternoon for all who attended.
GovsPLUS is looking forward to experiencing many more fun and learning activities together in 2014. We can’t wait to see what the New Year will bring!
Happy 2014 to all from GovsPLUS! 🙂
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