S-T Elementary Christmas Program Honors Jackie Smith

The fourth and fifth grade classes perform "A Penguin Christmas." Click here for more Christmas Program photos.

The Skidmore-Tynan Elementary presented its annual Christmas program titled "Christmas Fun" Thursday, December 20, 2007, at the schools cafetorium.

The program, directed by Mrs. Rita Burgess, began with the Kindergarten and First Grade classes' performance of Jingle Bells, He'll be Coming Down the Chimney Tonight, and The Christmas Sock Rock.

The 2nd and 3rd Grade classes performed the Frosty Hand Jive, The Big Red Guy – with speakers Mikayla Barnett, Fedrico Flores, Acelene Herzog, Cullen Hughes and Dylan Scott, and Dear Santa – with soloists Kennon Wishert, Sarah McFall, Randi Pace, Michelle Flores, Wyatt Daughtry, and Derek Rodriguez.

The grand finale, A Penguin Christmas, was performed by the 4th and 5th Grade classes, featuring Sal Soto as Santa, and Cassandra Soto as Mrs. Claus. Playing the role of elves were Melanie Martinez, Brandon Loya, Kati Stroman, and Cody Leonard. Santa's reindeer were played by Gabby Gonzalez, Alexis Gonzales, David Reyna, and Seth Martin. The penguins (costumed hilariously in black "Glad" bags) were Sydney Baker, Joshua Lopez, Courtney Cortez, Maribel Martinez, Destiny Gutierrez, Rebekah Colle, Skyelar Shanklin, Carmen Murillo, Amber Gutierrez, and Adriana Arredondo. Special performances included Michael Huerta as the director, Isabel Jimenez as his assistant, cameraman Nicholas Avila, and lights by Alex Rocha.

This year's program was dedicated to former S-T ISD employee Mrs. Jackie Smith. Mrs. Smith was born in West Texas and graduated from Alice High School. She married Butch Smith and settled in Skidmore, where she spent nearly 20 years working for Skidmore-Tynan ISD. During this time, she served the district as a bus driver, P.E. coach's assistant, classroom assistant, and librarian's assistant. The Smith's children, Tommy and Sammie, graduated from Skidmore-Tynan High School, so Jackie spent many years involved in football, band, 4-H and rodeo activities. Mrs. Smith retired in 2006 due to health reasons. S-T ISD staff and students are grateful for her many years of service to our district.