Christmas classic combines with 3rd-grader's 'genius idea'
CRANBERRY TWP — Addison McLane, a third-grader at Rowan Elementary School, 8051 Rowan Road, decided she wanted to give back to her community during the holiday season.
At the end of October, Addison wrote a letter to Principal Nannette Farmar and Assistant Principal Cassandra Pencek stating she found a “genius idea” in a magazine.
“The idea was to have a PB&J drive,” Addison’s letter said. “It’s like a normal food drive but with peanut butter, jelly and bread. I think this is a good idea because so many people go hungry.”
Addison was put in touch with Amber Hugus, a secondary school teacher and play director, to talk about ways to conduct a collection in connection with the arts.
Hugus said she decided to direct the fall play this year at the high school.
“I chose a show that had no royalty cost, so I had no purpose in charging admission,” she said. “I wanted to do something charitable for our local community, but wasn’t sure exactly what.”
Hugus said she asked Farmar what her community was more in need of — food donations or warm clothing. She noted Farmar had received the letter from Addison asking to do a food drive for the community.
“It was essentially Addison’s idea to collect food and Mrs. Farmar’s idea to put us together. What a happy coincidence,” Hugus said.
It was decided that a food or toiletry item donation to the Gleanor’s Food Bank would be requested in place of a price of admission to attend “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at Haine Elementary School, 1516 Haine School Road, and at 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Rowan Elementary School.
This is the first year a holiday play is being staged, Hugus said. Traditionally, the fall play takes place in October and is usually a drama.
“I took on the role late in the season this year and just decided to do this particular show all on my own inspiration,” she said.
Hugus said the performance of the Grinch is a dramatic reading of the novel. There will be a narrator, a Grinch, Max the dog and about 20 Whos.
“After the story, our Seneca Valley show choir will be performing a medley of songs from the cartoon movie,” she said. “The cast and show choir are all high school students.
“We will have a small ensemble of elementary students who will be singing along with the choir also,” she said.
Hugus said she is looking forward to a full auditorium of children.
“I love the warmth of the Christmas season and the giving spirit that affects all of us during this time of the year,” she said.
“I am hoping for my students to have an excited audience to perform for, for the children to enjoy our show, for many donations to come in for the food bank and mostly just for everyone to enjoy the evening performances,” Hugus said.
