One of the most anticipated days of the school year, Grandparents Day, was held at Malad Elementary School last week.  While a bit snowier than usual, the day was still heavily attended, and gave students a chance to show off their projects and classrooms to their grandparents and other relatives.  The day featured classroom displays, picture opportunities, and of course the always entertaining talent show.

The morning began with classrooms opened up to attendees to tour the individual classes and see what their students had been up to over the school year.  Each class featured a different set of projects, including research displays, topic-related information posters and creations, personal biographies, games, and a host of other endeavors.

The talent show kicked off at 10:00 a.m., and gave those who participated a chance to demonstrate their unique talents to both their grandparents, parents, and the community at large.  Mrs. Schow’s Fourth Grade Dragon Leader Rap began the performance, giving the Dragon Leaders a chance to show off their skills.  

Throughout the program there were a number of dance performances, beginning with Austin Schrenk’s dance solo, and later a solo by Cassidy Schrenk.  Later KaDee Daniels performed a routine, as well as McCall Clark.  Gage, Gannon, and Gatlin Steed performed a “comedy dance” routine as old folks, complete with walker.

Musical recitals were also a big part of the program, with piano performances by Londyn Jones and Grandmother, Lineni Lavaka, Alyssa Seamons, Ruby Coleman, Lydia Hatch, Levi Hatch, Megan Moss, and Eva Coleman.

A violin solo was performed by Maggie Schow.  A guitar solo was performed by Sofia Hess.  Madelyn Gonzalez performed on her cello.

Riggin Reeder was on hand to display his impressive skills with the bullwhip.

There were also a number of athletic displays during the presentation.  One of the features of this year’s production was a number of videos that highlighted activities the students had done outside of the school space.  Kyler Blaisdell and Rustin Montgomery both presented videos of their wrestling accomplishments during the year, then walked on stage to display their hardware.  Both have been heavily awarded during the season.  

Jace and Rickell Call walked out to cheers after their video featuring trapshooting and rodeo talents.

McCall Clark’s video showed off her impressive “aerial silks” skills.

MaCoy Luke showed off his awards at the end of a race bike video.

The event as a whole was capped off by the Lighthouse Team, who participated in a large group line dance, which featured the involvement of the whole audience as they clapped along to the performance.  The Lighthouse team was composed of Jettson Miller, Sawyer Beutler, Aubry Price, 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.

Nicole Daniels coordinated the Lighthouse Team.  The stage was managed by Zaira Hamilton and Paige Eliason.  Kaisley Platt, Emelia Wolz, and Mariah Price served as ushers.  The script and music director was Christine Smith.  Light and Sound was produced by Susan Clark and Trina Grote.  The talent show try-out judges were Nicole Daniels and Susie Clark.  Maintenance was undertaken by Devin Morrison and Jeff Richins.   

As always, the event was a fantastic chance for the community to come together and support the efforts of Malad’s school students, as well as to celebrate the importance of grandparents and other role models in their lives.