The Malad Elementary School students had the chance to perform on stage one more time as they held their End-of-Year performance. This performance was held in the Malad Elementary Auditorium on Monday, May 16. 

Students from First Grade through Fifth Grade dressed in school colors to show their Dragon pride, singing songs and playing instruments they had learned throughout the school year. The songs that were performed were based on the school’s Dragon Leader Program. 

Music Teacher Christine Smith said, “The elementary school has been developing a Dragon Leader Program based off of Stephen Covey's "Leader in Me" book. Our school counselor, Nicole Daniels, is the coordinator of our program and she is also the facilitator for our Lighthouse Team. Many schools throughout the world use Stephen Covey's 8 habits to help students take ownership of their education, to help them set goals and learn life skills. This program helps each student develop as a leader and be a strong influence for good everywhere they go.”

Smith continued, “This is only our second year of incorporating this program into our daily routines and classrooms at our school. Everyone that works at the school is on a sub committee within the Dragon Leader Program to help contribute great ideas and carry out important tasks throughout the year. You will see throughout our school Dragon Leader posters, banners, graphs and spotlights. It is making a huge difference in everyone's lives and we encourage anyone that is interested in learning more about the program to go to leaderinme.org.” 

The First Grade students started off by singing “Malad Elementary School Song.” They followed this with “Good Habits.”

The Second Grade started their performance with “Be-Believe.” They then ended with “SMILE!”

Starting off the Third Grade performance was the song “We Can Be Leaders.” They continued this theme by singing “Teamwork.”

After First through Third Grade's performances, a short video was played with clips of each class showing off their music skills they had acquired throughout the year. The videos included clips of the students playing drums, handbells, off instruments, and boomwhackers.

“Rockin’ Around the Hound Dog” was the first number performed by the Fourth Grade. They then ended with “Secret Agent.”

For their final elementary school performance, the Fifth Grade students showed the skills they have acquired from playing ukuleles. They started off with Mrs. Cinniman Allen’s Class playing “Best Day of My Life.” Ms. Jean Schwartz’s class played “Lava.” Mrs. Kallie Blaisdell’s class played “Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog.” 

Together, the Fourth and Fifth Grade students performed “Who Do We Appreciate.” This song was dedicated to their teachers and administrators that helped them throughout this school year. 

During the program, the students honored two teachers that will be retiring this year. Honored were Laurie Richins, a Second Grade teacher,  and Jean Schwartz, a Fifth Grade teacher. The two teachers were presented a bouquet of flowers to thank them for their many years of educating the students at Malad Elementary and the countless hours they dedicated to helping the children of this community. Short biographies about their teaching careers were read to the audience.

At Malad Elementary School they have a program called Dragon Lighthouse Leaders. These are incoming fifth graders who show leadership and are what the school refers to as Dragon Leaders. The students who served on the Lighthouse team for 2021-2022 were: Katie Palmer, Sadie Hooste, Easton Taufer, Kall VanBebber, Zoe Bodily, Katy Carter, Jaxon Shandrew, Dixon Reel, Olivia Blaisdell, and Dane Williams. 

The fourth grade students who were chosen to be next year's Lighthouse team are: Sawyer Beutler, Sylvie Gleckler, Wheeler Smith, Rose Butler, Dawson Jones, Seth Huckaby, Tanden Redd, Ira Carter, Ava Fesler, Asher Brower, Kannon Davis, Riggin Jensen, Jocelynn Purdum, Hadlee Evanson, and Joclynn Jackman.

The Elementary would like to give a special thanks to those who helped make the program successful, said Mrs. Smith. This included: The first grade teachers: JaLyn Weeks, Tiffany Jones, and Apral Ipsen. The second grade teachers: Laurie Richins, Erin Hawkes, and Lydia Jones. The third grade teachers: Brent Grote, Leisa Lamb, and Natalie Reiss. The fourth grade teachers Lindsay Waldron and Jordan Cook. the fifth grade teachers: Jena Schwartz, Cinniman Allen, and Kallie Blaisdell. Dragon Leader Lighthouse Co-Ordinator: Nicole Daniels. The Music, Script, Programs, Video director: Christine Smith The lights/technology Susan Clark and Tina Grote. Auditorum maintenance: Devin Morrison and Jeff Richins. Principal Sarah McIntyre, and Superintendent Mr. Jon Abrams. They would also like to thank everyone who donated to the Dragon Leader Program!