US Continues Festive Holiday Assembly Tradition
Upper School students enjoyed a festive holiday assembly the morning of December 8. The tradition, started by upper school Science Department Chair Dr. James Haley in 2017, was continued in a virtual format this year.
“It’s important to sustain as many traditions as we can throughout this pandemic,” said Head of Upper School Fletcher Carr.
Carr thanked the student speakers and performers for keeping the holiday spirit alive at the upper school.
“I hope more than anything we can spend next year’s assembly together in Benjamin Hall,” said Carr.
Student Council President Andrew Weisz served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies and introduced the upper school dance ensemble who performed the “Jazzed Up Nutcracker” and “Christmas Wrapping.” Briley Crisafi treated viewers to a beautiful rendition of “What Child Is This.”
Upper school students Darrell Sweeting, Grace Myers, and Eden Josza shared their own family traditions while also giving viewers a brief history of Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Hanukkah.
“In a year in which our differences, particularly those in public health, politics, and race have been the focus of an exhausting endless news cycle, I want to focus on a commonality that the end of year celebrations such as Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all share and that is light,” said Carr.
Carr explained the reason why we call December the season of light and the history of harvests and the Winter Solstice when light was desperately needed.
“At these times, light was a powerful force, literally . . . light was also a symbolic force - a reflection of the human refusal to let the dark hold the upper hand,” said Carr.
Carr said in this - of all years - he hopes students will continue to focus and shine their light.
“I hope you will share it this holiday season and through the coming New Year,” he said.
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A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.