A hummingbird hovering over a rose made of tinfoil by student Logan Treat gets a blue ribbon.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Ninth-grade student Bethany Buchanan with her tinfoil of mushrooms.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Third and 4th-grade students sing a German folk song called Lachen.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Seventh to 12th-grade students perform a one-act play of “Little Women.” From left are Logan Treat as John Brooks, Kylie Butash as Meg March, Camilla Treat as Jo March, Madison Lutz as Amy March, Christopher Buchanan as Teddy Lawrence (Laurie), Bethany Buchanan as Marmie March, and Brooklyn Bradley as Beth March.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Twelfth-grade student Leah Himka with her tinfoil of a chicken.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT — Summit Christian Academy held its Fine Arts Showcase on Thursday, May 12, at the school’s gymnasium. Students from grades 7 to 12 featured their artworks and gave performances they rehearsed since October 2021. The fine arts program blends three components — art, music and drama. The showcase is normally held during both spring and winter. But with many students sick during Christmas, the winter’s showcase was postponed. This spring’s event made up for it with songs about all four seasons sung by the school’s choir.
School administrator Chuck Gard introduced the performances.
“It’s a joy to see what the students aim for,” he said. “It’s a culmination to all their work.”
New this year, the 7th and 12th grade students played handbell ringing songs, including a couple of Christmas melodies to represent winter and Morning Has Broken to represent summer.
“They (Summit Christian Academy) are working to increase the number of instruments,” said Bethany Searfoss, who has been directing music for four years. “Each year, it gets more exciting and challenging in a good way because I get to expect more. They (students) rise to the challenge every time.”
The handbell choir also provided musical accompaniment to the students’ one-act play of “Little Women.” Summit’s drama teacher, Jenny Rosengrant, edited the script and directed the play. Normally performing a comedy, this is the first time students performed a drama. She hopes to write her own script for the next production.
“I enjoy teaching here,” she said. “The students are respectful. My co-workers are very helpful and encouraging. Mr. Gard is a wonderful administrator.”
Ninth-grade student Bethany Buchanan played Marmee March, the matriarch of Little Women. She also participated in the art component, in which students made objects out of tinfoil. She formed her tinfoil into mushrooms, in which she saw outside her window. She enjoyed making artworks for the showcase.
“It’s really fun to see what people think of it,” she said.
Twelfth-grade student Leah Himka made a chicken out of her tinfoil, since she owns 24 chickens at her home. She enjoyed the Fine Arts Showcase as well.
“It’s exciting,” she said.
Grace Palmiter, who is also in the 12th grade, sang in the choir and rang bells in the handbell choir. This is her second year performing.
“It’s fun,” she said.
Alex Johnson, 11th-grade student, was also both in the singing choir and the handbell choir. He made two artworks out of tinfoil — an extraterrestrial, a retro TV set, and a UFO.
“It’s really fun and encouraging knowing you’re doing good,” he said.
Summit Christian Academy will have a graduation on June 2 at 7 p.m. and a pre-school graduation on June 3 at 8:30 a.m. They will be both in the school’s gymnasium.
