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Vol. 32 No. 1
JANUARY 2 - 8, 2025
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Performing at Radio City Baldwin junior dances in group that opens for the legendary Rockettes made the decision, with her mother’s support, to further explore her passion for dance During the day, Alexandra at the Harlem School, and to try Francois is a junior at Baldwin to make it into something more. “I was becoming more seriHigh School. But five nights a week, she takes the train to the ous in dance than before,” Allie Harlem School of the Arts, said. “Before the school, I used where she dons her dancing to do competition around Long shoes. Island and Atlantic City, so durAlexandra, or Allie, as she ing that time I was asking prefers to be called, myself, ‘OK, do I is 15 and in her really want to do third year at the dance or stay on the School of the Arts. competition side?’ I On Dec. 16, she and realized by staying other members of in competition, I the Harlem School’s wouldn’t be getting Dance Program as much technical perfor med as the in ballet training.” one-night-only T h re e m o n t h s opening act for the into joining the Rockettes in the school in Harlem, Christmas Spectacshe and other memular at Radio City AlExANDRA FRANCoiS bers representing Music Hall in Man- Baldwin the school graced hattan. Their perthe stage at Radio formance included City. This year was a rendition of Mariah Carey’s the third year in which she was “Christmas (Baby Please Come part of the troupe opening for Home).” the Rockettes. Allie has been dancing since The school has taken part in she was 5, but in 2022, when she the Rockettes’ Community was a freshman at the high Partner Performances program school and her mother, Martine for the past two years. Through Perrin-Francois, first asked the initiative, the Rockettes her, “What do you want to do expand access to people from after high school?” she thought all backgrounds see themselves long and hard. That year she
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
Maureen Lennon/Herald
Uniting for Toys for Tots Members of the Baldwin community came together to support Toys for Tots for children in need during the holiday season at the Irish Pub. Story, additional photos, Page 10.
Lenox School explores holiday traditions Students travel ‘around the world’ before winter break By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Students at Lenox Elementary School in Baldwin participated in a unique cultural experience before the winter break, exploring holiday traditions that are celebrated across the globe. The event, dubbed Holidays Around the World and organized by first-grade teacher Michelle Victoria and second-grade teacher Jessica Katsoulakis, introduced students in kindergarten through fifth grade to the diverse ways other countries celebrate the holiday season. “Holidays Around the World at Lenox not only celebrated diversity but also instilled a life-
long appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry that unites us all,” Sheilah Jefferson-Isaac, the school’s principal, said in a news release. The school day began with an announcement over the public address system, prompting students to grab their “passports” and head to classrooms that were transformed into cultural stations. Each classroom offered students a look into how holiday traditions are marked in different countries, with activities designed to engage students in learning about these global celebrations. The event was part of Lenox’s Joyful Wednesdays, a program providing students with handsContinued on page 9
W
hen I hear that we’re going to be invited again, it’s an exciting thing.
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