Students Encourage Peers To Believe In Themselves

The fourth grade class at Head O’ Meadow Elementary School recently took part in a soulful musical revue, Celebrate You and Me. The piece was written by music educator Roger Emerson in an effort to help children build stronger self-esteem.

In two special concert presentations, the fourth graders presented their message to younger peers, as well as to parents and other family members.

“Celebrate” is accompanied with a curriculum guide for grades three through six written by John Jacobson.

Taylor Varga played the role of the “Esteem Machine.” In the beginning of the piece, the students, as “captains” of different teams, ask the Esteem Machine how one acquires confidence.

The play explores the various ways such a goal could be reached, including the value of treating others with respect, taking care of themselves physically and emotionally, and being kind to themselves and their peers.

At the end of the play, the Esteem Machine declares that everything the children sang about make up the value of self-esteem.

Thomas Primavera was the Master of Ceremony; Grace Hubbard, Haley Malin, Emily Sheluck, Cameron McCleary, Dena Riccio, and Megan Evans were Captains; Sally Martinelli, Breanna Hernandez, Andre Ruscoe, Karan Marwah, Emily Peters, Julia Davin, Megan McDermott, Briana Iannazzo, Robby Russo, Claire Miles, Courtney Campbell, Melissa Buccino, Samantha Steimle, Andrew Volkers, Grace Kellogg, and Alexander Roche played Students.

The other students took part in the chorus, featuring soloists Marissa Cardella and Courtney Yapp.