Fine Arts
St. Monica School Variety Show
Since the mid-1980s, the St. Monica School community has celebrated the singing, dancing, and theatrical talents of its students (and staff!) with an annual Variety Show extravaganza. The event, held each Spring at the Dominican High School theater, is always a jam-packed venue with school parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and other friends of the school community in attendance. The Variety Show is more than an annual event – it is a beloved St. Monica School community tradition.
The tradition is beloved so much, especially by the St. Monica School students it features, because it involves all school students, year after year after year. Students “grow up” with the annual tradition and look forward to it each year as a night to showcase their talents and share fun and fellowship with their classmates and friends.
Please take a moment to read the perspectives shared by two recent SMS 8th grade students – and be sure to mark your calendar for this school year’s Variety Show!
A Tribute to the Legends: A Victorious 2007 Variety Show!
Katherine Richter
The 2007 Variety Show, “A Tribute to the Legends,” was indeed a legend! The entire production, which took place at Dominican High School, showcased hilarious humor, extraordinary excitement, and thrilling entertainment. Classes from K5-8th grade danced and sang to a legendary song from a certain time period, ranging from the 1940's to today's music. “A Tribute to the Legends” honored our Class of 2007, SMS principal Mrs. Karen Rambadt, and Father Alan, who will sadly not be returning next school year.
Many legendary songs were performed on Friday, including “Yakety Yak” from the 1950’s, “You Dropped the Bomb on Me” from the 1970's, “Thriller” from the 1980’s, “Love Shack” from the 1990's, and “Suddenly I See” from the 2000’s. Special effects like strobe lights were used to amaze the audiences even more. Maria Cooper, a sixth grader at St. Monica’, said that the Variety Show was “very exciting and a bunch of fun!”
In between each entertaining act, the eighth graders performed in short skits and movies. One of these short movies was Dreamin’, which taped every eight grader telling (jokingly) what they want to be when they grow up. Followed by their answer, short movie clips related to their job were shown.
At the end of the show, a slideshow depicting the eighth graders' journey was played. Tears of sadness and joy overcame some students and families.
The 2007 Variety Show was truly amazing. Hopefully everyone could attend to cheer on your St. Monica students. Special thanks goes out to everyone involved in making this show happen, especially Holly Hoy, Amy Murphy, and Amy O’Connor, who directed, produced, and wrote the Variety Show. It certainly was a memorable experience that viewers will describe as “a legend.”
Variety Show 2006
Jessie Bazan
“Oh, the places you’ll go!
The 2006 St. Monica School Variety Show was a smashing success! Parents, grandparents, and friends enjoyed a night of singing, dancing, and fun courtesy of our talented SMS students.
The night started off with a slide show full of kindergarten pictures of the 8th graders. This touching moment was complemented by a fitting Dr. Seuss poem. Later on, we went “Dancin’ in the Streets”, “On Wisconsin”, “Singing in the Rain”, and took off to Emerald City. Although the students did a great job, the overall performance had to be the Teachers Act, which was a tribute to our beloved former school secretary Mrs. Woodke.
“It was very cool to have all the old staff and principals come back. It really showed how much they all care about Mrs. Woodke,” said student-teacher Ms. Nazcek.
Finally, the show ended like it started, with a video tribute for the 8th graders. It was an emotional time for everyone, as the 8th grade got to say a final farewell to the SMS community as a whole. “The Variety Show rocked, but I was sad when it was over,” said Michael Herbers.
The Variety Show would not have been possible without assistance from countless dedicated parents. Thanks to everyone who helped out, especially Mrs. Wildt, Mrs. McBride, and Mrs. Sinsky. And a special thank you the SMS Class of 2006, you truly were the stars of the show.
We really are “off to great places”…can’t you tell?!?
St. Monica School Art Club
Mrs. Sue Miller, St. Monica School Art Teacher
During the 2005-2006 school year, many exciting things happened in the St. Monica School community. One of those exciting events was the launch of the St. Monica School Art Club!
Mr. Mlada and I decided to begin this new Club to offer SMS students additional opportunities for art education, especially with the beautiful Art classroom and the many Art resources we have on-hand. Our hope was to “start small” by launching the effort during the Spring, and moving into next school year and beyond look to grow it into more of a year-round offering.
The Art Club officially met three times from February through April, although a smaller number of Club members met separately to put finishing touches on their work. Club members were broken down by grade level, with the primary grades (1st-3rd), intermediate grades (4th-5th) and junior high grades (6th-8th) meeting separately. A total of about 75 students participated in a discussion and ensuing activity surrounding different age-appropriate themes including “photojournalism,” “multicultural art,” and “color your world.”
We believe it was a very successful launch of the SMS Art Club! The student participation was everything we had hoped for; students were clearly excited about the additional opportunities for art education. We look forward to new activities during the school years to come.
Why not join in the fun?!?
Dates for 2008-2009 Art Club:
* November 17th, 2008 -- 3:30-5:00 p.m.
* February 9th, 2009 -- 3:30-5:00 p.m.
* May 19th, 2009 -- 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Art for Youth
St. Monica School students learn about some of the world’s greatest artists, both past and present, through the “Art for Youth” program. Especially geared for students in the primary and intermediate grade levels, the program supplements the outstanding Art curriculum employed by Art teacher, Mrs. Sue Miller. In essence, the “Art for Youth” program involves trained parent volunteers sharing time in the classroom on a monthly basis, with a focus on one specific artist, art period, or art style.
If you are interested in volunteering with the “Art for Youth” program, please contact the St. Monica School Home & School.
St. Monica School Variety Show
Since the mid-1980s, the St. Monica School community has celebrated the singing, dancing, and theatrical talents of its students (and staff!) with an annual Variety Show extravaganza. The event, held each Spring at the Dominican High School theater, is always a jam-packed venue with school parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and other friends of the school community in attendance. The Variety Show is more than an annual event – it is a beloved St. Monica School community tradition.
The tradition is beloved so much, especially by the St. Monica School students it features, because it involves all school students, year after year after year. Students “grow up” with the annual tradition and look forward to it each year as a night to showcase their talents and share fun and fellowship with their classmates and friends.
Please take a moment to read the perspectives shared by two recent SMS 8th grade students – and be sure to mark your calendar for this school year’s Variety Show!
A Tribute to the Legends: A Victorious 2007 Variety Show!
Katherine Richter
The 2007 Variety Show, “A Tribute to the Legends,” was indeed a legend! The entire production, which took place at Dominican High School, showcased hilarious humor, extraordinary excitement, and thrilling entertainment. Classes from K5-8th grade danced and sang to a legendary song from a certain time period, ranging from the 1940's to today's music. “A Tribute to the Legends” honored our Class of 2007, SMS principal Mrs. Karen Rambadt, and Father Alan, who will sadly not be returning next school year.
Many legendary songs were performed on Friday, including “Yakety Yak” from the 1950’s, “You Dropped the Bomb on Me” from the 1970's, “Thriller” from the 1980’s, “Love Shack” from the 1990's, and “Suddenly I See” from the 2000’s. Special effects like strobe lights were used to amaze the audiences even more. Maria Cooper, a sixth grader at St. Monica’, said that the Variety Show was “very exciting and a bunch of fun!”
In between each entertaining act, the eighth graders performed in short skits and movies. One of these short movies was Dreamin’, which taped every eight grader telling (jokingly) what they want to be when they grow up. Followed by their answer, short movie clips related to their job were shown.
At the end of the show, a slideshow depicting the eighth graders' journey was played. Tears of sadness and joy overcame some students and families.
The 2007 Variety Show was truly amazing. Hopefully everyone could attend to cheer on your St. Monica students. Special thanks goes out to everyone involved in making this show happen, especially Holly Hoy, Amy Murphy, and Amy O’Connor, who directed, produced, and wrote the Variety Show. It certainly was a memorable experience that viewers will describe as “a legend.”
Variety Show 2006
Jessie Bazan
“Oh, the places you’ll go!
The 2006 St. Monica School Variety Show was a smashing success! Parents, grandparents, and friends enjoyed a night of singing, dancing, and fun courtesy of our talented SMS students.
The night started off with a slide show full of kindergarten pictures of the 8th graders. This touching moment was complemented by a fitting Dr. Seuss poem. Later on, we went “Dancin’ in the Streets”, “On Wisconsin”, “Singing in the Rain”, and took off to Emerald City. Although the students did a great job, the overall performance had to be the Teachers Act, which was a tribute to our beloved former school secretary Mrs. Woodke.
“It was very cool to have all the old staff and principals come back. It really showed how much they all care about Mrs. Woodke,” said student-teacher Ms. Nazcek.
Finally, the show ended like it started, with a video tribute for the 8th graders. It was an emotional time for everyone, as the 8th grade got to say a final farewell to the SMS community as a whole. “The Variety Show rocked, but I was sad when it was over,” said Michael Herbers.
The Variety Show would not have been possible without assistance from countless dedicated parents. Thanks to everyone who helped out, especially Mrs. Wildt, Mrs. McBride, and Mrs. Sinsky. And a special thank you the SMS Class of 2006, you truly were the stars of the show.
We really are “off to great places”…can’t you tell?!?
St. Monica School Art Club
Mrs. Sue Miller, St. Monica School Art Teacher
During the 2005-2006 school year, many exciting things happened in the St. Monica School community. One of those exciting events was the launch of the St. Monica School Art Club!
Mr. Mlada and I decided to begin this new Club to offer SMS students additional opportunities for art education, especially with the beautiful Art classroom and the many Art resources we have on-hand. Our hope was to “start small” by launching the effort during the Spring, and moving into next school year and beyond look to grow it into more of a year-round offering.
The Art Club officially met three times from February through April, although a smaller number of Club members met separately to put finishing touches on their work. Club members were broken down by grade level, with the primary grades (1st-3rd), intermediate grades (4th-5th) and junior high grades (6th-8th) meeting separately. A total of about 75 students participated in a discussion and ensuing activity surrounding different age-appropriate themes including “photojournalism,” “multicultural art,” and “color your world.”
We believe it was a very successful launch of the SMS Art Club! The student participation was everything we had hoped for; students were clearly excited about the additional opportunities for art education. We look forward to new activities during the school years to come.
Why not join in the fun?!?
Dates for 2008-2009 Art Club:
* November 17th, 2008 -- 3:30-5:00 p.m.
* February 9th, 2009 -- 3:30-5:00 p.m.
* May 19th, 2009 -- 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Art for Youth
St. Monica School students learn about some of the world’s greatest artists, both past and present, through the “Art for Youth” program. Especially geared for students in the primary and intermediate grade levels, the program supplements the outstanding Art curriculum employed by Art teacher, Mrs. Sue Miller. In essence, the “Art for Youth” program involves trained parent volunteers sharing time in the classroom on a monthly basis, with a focus on one specific artist, art period, or art style.
If you are interested in volunteering with the “Art for Youth” program, please contact the St. Monica School Home & School.