As we begin the holiday season, Alvirne High School has begun its preparations and rehearsals for the Holiday Extravaganza. The Holiday Extravaganza is a show performed by the students of Alvirne to help spread some holiday cheer. Jen LaFrance, an English teacher at Alvirne who helps with the production of the show, had this to say:

"The holiday show is a part of our unified theater program. Like unified sports, we pair students together. We are sponsored by Class Act and The Watts Club." Joanne Curry and Lauren Denis are two of the people at Alvirne who really help put this show on, with the help of Sherri Lavoie, Marianne Hedges and LaFrance.

This is the second year Alvirne is putting on this production, but unlike last year, this year’s show will include an extra performance. There was a diverse group of students and staff who participated in the holiday show last year, and even more are joining in this year.

"It incorporated a lot of kids who don’t do a lot with Class Act, and it also was more of a relaxed setting than a typical play. It was a lot of fun," said Jacqueline Hoagland, a junior at Alvirne who participated in last year’s show and is participating in this year’s show as well.

Many of the students who already engage in other unified activities really enjoy this holiday show because it gives them an opportunity to spend more time with the other unified students. A large number of the members of Alvirne’s Class Act, a theater group, also take part in this show because it gives them an opportunity to act, as well as putting on a show for the holiday season.

"I liked how everybody was able to come together for one cause," said Corinne Prestia, another junior at Alvirne who took part in the Holiday Extravaganza last year.

The Holiday Extravaganza will be performed at 7 p.m. Dec.18 and 4 at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 in Alvirne’s newly renovated theater room. While students participating in the show get their tickets first, remaining tickets can be bought on a first come, first served basis through contacting LaFrance at jlafrance@sau81.org, or Denis at ldenis@sau81.org. Student and staff alike look forward to the show and enjoying the warm holiday feeling, and Alvirne hopes to see you there!

Jordyn McFadden is a senior at Alvirne High School.