June 27, 2018

Rose Martin, RSM, Executive Director, Hope Partnership for Education

 “Life is like a mountain and determination is your harness. When you’re slipping a bit, determination makes all the difference.” If you like that metaphor, you can thank Kayleen, a Hope Partnership eighth grader who read her essay on Power at the annual Student Showcase.

This talent expo featured multiple displays of student work, including writing samples, science projects, book reviews, and video production. The two fifth graders in the picture, Milan and Daisha, were quite proud of their work.

Live performances, a favorite part of the evening, started with “spoken word,” a segment in which poetry and prose are shared. Next, our music ensembles performed — clarinet duo, the recorder ensemble, a guitar duet, and a string ensemble of violins and cellos. Each performance was “music to our ears!” Two eighth grade boys, Diwud and Damir, treated the audience to a performance of Mozart’s A Little Night Music on the marimba. The most unusual performance was a duet performed on a melodica (a cross between an accordion and oboe). The music teacher, Ms. Tamburro, and a student concluded this segment with a delightful rendition of That’s Amore. The program’s finale included all student participants performing from Out of the Drum — music and rhythmic dances of the African diaspora.

Performers received a well-merited rousing round of applause. What better way is there to celebrate spring, new life, and the promise of hope for the future!