A Festive Winter Break Closing

At Excell Academy, it is customary that a significant part of the school year is climaxed with a festive closing program. This is exactly what was exhibited and witnessed by students, families, and staff over a two-day event on December 17 and 18, marking the start of winter break 2009.

It all began on Thursday, December 17, at a regularly scheduled Kindergarten thru 5^th grade assembly at the school when a spectacular dance performance was presented by a well rehearsed school ballad dance group. The group’s director, volunteer, Ms. Elaine Dillard had taken the time to prepare her performers with both art and fashion over a period of time. The group, all kindergarten, 2^nd and 3^rd graders took the stage under the directorship of Ms. Dillard and kept the audience needing more with each passing moment.

The next day, Friday, December 18, had been set aside as the official school closing day for the winter break. To turn the day into the normal holiday-closing type as had always been in the past, the school’s music teacher Mrs. Hillary Arundel, with the help of her team, had successfully organized her “Excell Holiday Sing-Along” event.

During the program on Friday, the Sing-Alone sessions were continuous from start to near finish, with Mrs. Arundel and 2^nd grade teacher, Ms. Megan Hjermstad at their respective keyboards while the students took on their favorite holiday’s songs.

The program was climaxed with a riffle drawing for a Nintendo Wii console as 1^st prize (Wii is a home video game console) which had been scheduled for the finishing part of the closing event. The raffle activities were intended as a fundraiser for the school's character education program, and planned by the principal, Mr. Doug Seiler and his organizing team, including assistant, Mr. Thomas Anderson.

Rifle winners were as follows:

Student Varnie Stewart, Jr. – 1^st prize winner           Nintendo Wii console

Student Rose Currie – 2^nd price winner                    $50.00 Gift Card

Student Willie Ware – 3^rd price winner                     $25.00 cash

Top ticket sellers were as follows:

Ms. Fay Holland - top adult seller                            $30.00 price

Student Leron Camp - top student seller                  $30.00 price            

Please click December Pictures 1 for pictures of the events and of the month.