Serving Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Waterton and surrounding communities
Page 6 Shootin’ the Breeze October 24/12
A hockey net serves as a perfect crib for “baby Adam” from Mrs. Margetak’s 2B class.
Mrs. Cox’s 1B class clowns started off Horace Allen’s 50th Birthday Bash last Friday. From left, are Kendra, Aiden, Jordan, Monica, Maya, Avery, Karysa and Bella. See more photos in the online edition this week at www.shootinthebreeze.ca .
Photos by Shannon Robin
James and Daniella drive off into the sunset after celebrating grad with the Class of ’63.
Horace Allen School celebrates in style By Shannon Robin Staff and students of Horace Allen School in Coleman put on a fabulous performance Friday with a little help from Trickster Theatre. About 500 people crammed into the school gymnasium for an evening of laughter, imagination and playful participation celebrating the school’s upcoming 50th anniversary. This wasn’t a stereotypical school play where bored audience members rolled their eyes at one another and continually checked the time. Instead, it was an energy-filled atmosphere where the kids were genuinely excited about what they were doing, and the audience was completely engaged from the first second of the show to the last. The entire student body of about 185 children, from kindergarten to Grade 3, actively took part in the presentation. Their exuberance was contagious, and the gym buzzed with energy. The show featured song, dance, running, shrieking, rodeo, time travel, pranks, dinosaurs, clowns, buses, mechanics, cheerleaders and more. The facial expressions of many were hilarious, and every single actor, whether child or adult, appeared to be having the time of their life. Props were supplied by the Tricksters, and I’ll bet no one had thought of so many uses for a pool noodle or a toilet plunger! Each item was used in
a multitude of ways during a scene. Watching the kids actively use their imaginations in this technological age was the highlight of the evening. School staff participated in the delightful romp, and a few parents were fortunate to be called to centre stage to act as props, such as buses. Former principal Jerry Lonsbury even had a cameo appearance as himself. Each class skit told a tale of the fun and adventures that might have taken place in the first year of Horace Allen School’s history, with just a little bit of artistic liberty. The performance culminated in a dance party and silhouette show depicting the first graduation in 1963. Use of the silhouette screen is usually reserved for older students, and Mrs. Simpson’s 3B class showed they were up to the challenge with this fun ending. Through active engagement, students had the opportunity to learn the history both of their school and of their community. The Trickster Theatre residency was a joint project of the school and school council, and Penny Warris was recognized for her role in making the experience a successful reality. “We’re all still recovering,” principal Elaine Garner said Monday afternoon. “There was a lot of energy around here all week.” “Part of the process is deciding what the
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residency will look like,” she says. “Teachers talked about ideas with the kids, and the Tricksters helped us create presentations based on the birthday theme.” During the week, many community members visited the school and shared stories of attending or teaching at Horace Allen School. Elaine says it was a very busy but wellorchestrated week. Monday and Tuesday were spent figuring out how ideas could flow together, and Wednesday was spent on polishing. “It was amazing to watch,” she says. “By Thursday the kids pretty much knew what they were doing.” On Friday it was show time. Each program was a work of art, with pictures drawn and coloured by students on the cover. The house was full, and over $1,100 was raised through a silver collection at the door to assist former bus driver Joe Mahieux. As the proverbial icing on the cake, there were cupcakes for everyone at the end of the play. The Trickster residency was made possible through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and a donation from Teck Coal. Videotapes of the performance can be ordered through the school for $10 until Oct. 31. Trickster Theatre helped create memories that will be linked forever with the school’s golden anniversary. Happy birthday, Horace Allen! CrossFit Yoga CrossFit Moms Boot Camp Zumba Running Club Nutritional Consultations Athletic Therapy
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