'God Bless America' Opera teaches and entertains

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

The celebration of Presidents Day was all red, white, and blue patriotism at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School Feb. 24, when, with the assistance of the Utah Symphony Opera and the Ballet Center, first- and eighth- graders presented their "God Bless America Patriotic Opera." Clockwise from above, Andrew Staley as Alexander Hamilton plants gum trees in the interest of the future of the new nation; Sean Crossen is President Abraham Lincoln, leading a divided country through the Civil War; Kathleen Wilkerson portrays the Statue of Liberty welcoming new immigrants to America; and Eslliey Tan plays an Eagle who soars among the dancing Americans. Patriotic music played by the St. Vincent Honor Band under the direction of Spencer Kimball provided a prelude to the play, and Weblows led by Laura Horton provided a flag ceremony. Principal Mark Longe, who also looked amazingly like Mr. Lincoln, welcomed parents, teachers, students, and guests to the presentation, which was dedicated to Dr. Arthur W. Last, a World War II veteran, Joseph Hyatt, who serves in the United States Army, Robin Griffith, a U. S. Marine injured in Iraq, and all men and women in service to the country.