Menu
Pint-sized performers have big holiday fun
By Nancy Malcom
Nevada Daily Mail
Tracy Sewell's Bright Beginnings Preschool students performed their annual Christmas program, Friday, Dec. 17, for family and friends at the City/County Community Center in Nevada.
The children sang and danced to several songs, including "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Jingle Bells," "Ten Little Children" and ended with an enthusiastic rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas!"
After the singing, a slide show was presented featuring activities the students had participated in during the first half of the school year. Refreshments were served.
Performers included Quinton Hays, Braeden Hinton, Brylee Manes, Brady Masters, Weston Miller, Jordyn Ropelato, Kiersten Ropelato, Emily Willson, Kaitlynn Vincent and Holly Wingert.
The students are all four or five years old and were interviewed before the show.
Quinton Hays hasn't ever seen Santa Claus personally because, "I'm always in bed when he brings toys and I never get up to look."
He wants reindeer for Christmas and if one of those isn't available he'll take a parachute-launching gun. His family celebrates by exchanging gifts and eating "all kinds of good food." He likes going to Grandmother's house for Christmas. He's very confident he's been a good boy this year.
Braeden Hinton wants a four-wheeler, or a Power Ranger game. He likes cookies the best of all the Christmas food. His mother makes a big meal.
He said, "Santa works at the North Pole and throws parties. Christmas is special though because it's Jesus birthday."
He likes Christmas songs (all but "Ten Little Children," that is) and enjoys singing in the Christmas program. His little sister is only a baby, so he thinks she qualifies as having been good this year. He also feels he's been a good boy.
Brylee Manes wants a computer for Christmas. She celebrates by going to her grandmother's house and baking cookies and candy. The best part of Christmas, for her, is snow and presents. She has never seen Santa, but knows he lives at the North Pole. She leaves cookies out for him each year. Her favorite song is "Jingle Bells." She has one brother and two sisters that are all bigger than she.
"They've been good, I hope," she said, and then sighed, "I've been pretty good."
Brady Masters wants either a motorcycle or a race car. He has one brother and one sister who are both older than he is. He knows they've been good and is quite certain he qualifies, too.
"I've seen fake Santas, but not the real one," he explained. "The real one lives at the North Pole, not in a store, and he comes down the chimney." Someone always eats the cookies -- which is proof enough for him that Santa has visited. He wouldn't change anything about Christmas.
Weston Miller wants a race car for Christmas. He likes having his grandparents come to his house to exchange gifts and make a big meal.
"We have ham because turkey is just for Thanksgiving. Mom makes pies and cookies. I don't do that work, I work with my Dad."
He's seen Santa on television but not "for real." The most special part of Christmas time for him includes, "snow fights, making snow men and singing "Jingle Bells." He is certain he's been a very good boy, feels his sister might qualify as pretty good, but has grave doubts that his older brother will get any good marks from Santa at all.
Jordyn Ropelato wants a Brat House for Christmas. She enjoys having a big meal with her grandparents and family at a Christmas party. She has one brother and one sister, both bigger than she is. "But Mom is bigger than they are," she clarified. "I like lights and new shoes. Grandma made cookies and I helped her." She is convinced she and her siblings have been as good as they can this year.
Kiersten Ropelato wants a Cabbage Patch Kid for Christmas. She enjoys everything about Christmas.
"People come to our house and we decorate with pretty lights. We have turkey and ham and pies and Christmas cookies shaped like stars, trees, snowmen and teddy bears. We all give gifts and hug and kiss each other." She paused for a breath. "Then we go make a snowman with a hat on him and a carrot nose and rocks for his eyes and mouth in a smile. We wear pretty clothes and sing songs and watch Christmas movies." She knows all about Santa. "I get out of bed and he doesn't see me. We don't have a chimney so we put a magic key out that only Santa can use to get in and leave gifts. Christmas is very beautiful and I like it very much."
Emily Willson has her list memorized. "I want a Brat House, a Barbie Doll, a My Little Pony, a Santa movie and a Rudolph toy," she thought for a moment, then added, "So does my sister."
The grandparents come to her house and she helps make cookies. She has one sister who has been good and so has she. Her favorite thing about Christmas is decorating the tree and making cookies and putting them under the tree for Santa. She enjoys the lights, opening presents and singing "Jingle Bells."
Kaitlynn Vincent wants a Barbie doll for Christmas and a teddy bear to sleep with. Her family celebrates by having the grandparents come over for the day and opening presents. "I like the green candy canes," she explained. "We have a big tree too, but no lights. We have big balls on the tree."
She knows Santa lives at the North Pole and that he gave her a present last year, so she's hoping he won't forget her this year. She feels her brothers and sister have been good this year and she has too. She looks forward to getting gifts and maybe some money. "Mom will get to sit down and drink some coffee," she said with a grin.
Holly Wingert wants a toy bear for Christmas. "We have a big party," she explained, "we have candy and I play-fight with my brother and sister." She's seen Santa at the stores, but not at her house. She's been a good girl this year and can't wait to get her presents.
Parents, grandparents and friends appeared to enjoy the singing and dancing almost as much as the performers did.