My Backyard

        ATTLEBORO – Students and faculty members of Grace Baptist Christian Academy recently produced a dinner theatre entitled “What Are We Waiting For?” as its annual Christmas program on two separate nights at the school located at 1000 Oak Hill Avenue.

          Adorned by colorful decorations and symbols of the season, the school’s chapel hosted capacity audiences on both evenings for two-hour programs featuring a turkey dinner with all the fixings as well as music and drama provided by students in kindergarten through Grade 12. The entertainment portion of the program included solo and group musical performances as well as brief dramatic skits, all in line with the essence of Christmas.

          “Our young people have worked very hard during the past few months to prepare for this program and I think they did an outstanding job,” said Pastor Jeffrey Bailey, GBCA’s principal. “Their performance tonight underlined the true meaning of Christmas, which is that we should always be grateful for the blessings God has bestowed on us and the opportunities He has given us in life.”

          Under the direction of music teachers Lorraine Bailey, Kristi Yoakum and Sarah Cooper, GBCA’s award-winning Senior High Choir, Senior High Girls Ensemble and Junior High Choir all sang Christmas carols, while its elementary school and kindergarten students produced hand-bell and vocal versions of yuletide classics. Solo and duet instrumental musical efforts were also performed.

          Providing solo and duet instrumentals were students Cheryl Barrett, Joshua Beals, Olivia Beals, Isaac Bryden, Jonathan Bryden, Brad McGee, Tyler McGee, Ashley Moraes, Darlene Murray, Rachel Nichols, Ariana Patterson, Abby Silva, Bryan Simet, Evan Tyrol, Madison Vincent and Emmalie Yoakum.

          Dramatic skits were acted by students Adam Bailey, Alison Louis, Kendall Gaouette, Chelsea Oliviera, Ariana Pare, Matt Dillon, Cheryl Barrett, Edmund Devine, Tabitha Rodriguez, Giana Bigelow, Jessica Patterson, Mary Jane Childs, Eldon Barrett, Ally Penny, Brad McGee, Rachel Nichols and Tyler Ostrowski.

          Serving as readers were students Steven Medeiros, Jonathan Bryden, Alex Reichert, Evan Schoepfer, Mathias McGonigle and Tyler McGee. Offering assistance were school officials and parents Tim McGee, Diane McGee, Michelle Murray, Susan Barreira, Mike Silva, Janet Silva, Lisa Kunsch, Mona White, Lorraine Bailey, Billi Jo Nichols, Joy Tyrol, Toni Watson, Alison Louis and Will Peterson.