Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Students continue 'La Pastorela' tradition

Audry Olmsted El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

AOLMSTED Socorro elementary students have been practicing hard for more than a month to put on a traditional holiday play with a blend of Spanish and English flavors.

Parkview Elementary and Zimmerly Elementary school students are making final preparations for the play "La Pastorela," which will be performed at the Parkview gym Dec. 14. The students will put on a dress-rehearsal performance at 1 p.m. for Parkview students, and will then perform for their parents that night at 7 p.m.

Mayme Aragón, elementary school teacher and director of the play, said no student was turned away from the play and all students who wanted to participate, were given a part.

The play is narrated in English and Spanish and all the speaking parts are in Spanish.

"A lot of the kids speak no Spanish at all," Aragón said. She said the students learned their parts in English and Spanish so that they would know what they were speaking.

"La Pastorela," or shepherd's play, takes a different angle to the traditional Christmas story and follows the journey of the shepherds as they follow the guiding star to the baby Jesus. Through their journey, the shepherds are tempted by the devil, who is trying to keep the shepherds from reaching their destination.

Aragón said she took the longer version of the play and shortened it to adapt it for young children.

"As long as the kids get the message across, it doesn't matter how long it is, "she said.

The play has been performed here in Socorro for close to 40 years. It was even featured in New Mexico Magazine two years ago, Aragón said.

Elementary school music teachers Amy Anderson and Debbie Dennis are working with the chorus for the play. Aragón said she also plans to have a community orchestra come in to play as well.

Aragón said that even though they got a late start on practicing, the play was coming along nicely and would be ready to go the night of the performance.

"It's for the parents. The parents will love it," she said.

Aragón said that along with the kids being excited to be in the play, it brings back memories for parents and grandparents who performed in the play when they were younger.

"La Pastorela" will be narrated in English by Eunji Yang and in Spanish by Serena Garcia. The part of Joseph is being played by Joshua Collins, the part of Mary is being played by Michaela Montoya and the innkeeper will be played by Kash Winningham.

The Three Kings will be played by Johnny Maxwell, Jonathan Briscoe and Jeric Chavez.

The role of Lucifer is played by Daniel Jaramillo, San Miguel will be played by Brendon Rosales, San Gabriel will be played by Nicole Arevalo and the Guiding Star is played by Shaylynn Moore.

The part of Bartolo is played by Juan Gutierrez, Gilita is will be played by Arely Acosta and Hermitano is played by Shaun Olguin.

The shepherds are played by Anisha Ramirez, Vicente Soto, Alexis Chavez, Joshua Salas, Victoria Esquibel, Elias Flores, Derrick Chavez, Anthony Malone and Dillon Greene.

The role of the Angels are played by Alicia Lancaster, Selena Carrillo, Brittany Vasquez, Cristal Salas, Nataly Paz, Isabella Flores, Ashley Pyke, Dallas Perkins, Vanalisia Flores and Emily Williams.

Chorus members from Zimmerly Elementary School are: Mariah Anaya, Mckayla Bailey, Christopher Carrillo, Sabrina Castillo, Isaac Chavez, Kristen Cline, Michelle Gonzales, Samantha Gonzales, Ashley Gretsche, Vanessa Hinojosa, Sergio Levya, Chanel Mata, Chantel Mata, Ashton Monette, Michael Padilla, Nikolai Purdy, Danielle Valdez, Jordan Vinson and Nicho Williams.

Parkview chorus members are: Emily Anderson, Julie Aster, Allana Borgersen, Isabella Flores, Vinalisia Flores, Donald Guerro, Aaron Lopez, Brandon Morales, Ashley Pyke, Mia Salome, Brittany Vasquez and Dru Ware.

aolmsted@dchieftain.com

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