As the students of PGCA hoisted themselves onto the warm charter bus, each were welcomed by a pleasant smile from Sis. Deanna Hillman, and then the usual response of “Good morning, find a seat!” A ferocity of excitement could be felt from the youngest pre-schooler to the eldest senior. Why, you might

ask? The reason was the sheer fact that today they were headed to see the play A Christmas Carol at New Stage Theater in Jackson, Mississippi, and then were going to be dismissed for two whole weeks for Christmas Holidays.

Upon their arrival at New Stage Theater, they were greeted by numerous other schools of all sizes, grades, and pupils. The students began filing off the bus, each impatiently hoping Sis. Libby Putnam’s poor little pre-school class would go a tad bit swifter. When finally seated in the theater, questions could be heard like, “Who is going to be Scrooge?” “How are they going to present the Ghost of Christmas Future?” Everyone could hardly contain themselves as anticipation swelled within them like a helium balloon.

A kind, young gentleman with fiery red hair came out to greet the congregation of excited young people. As he began speaking, the noise came to a still hush. He introduced everyone to New Stage and began to explain that all the props and fog were harmless. The children began to get restless as the man’s explanation went by like a blur. Many looked from one to another and grinned, for they knew that they were seconds away from the raising of the curtains and the starting of the play.

When the man had made his leave, the theater’s lights were brought down until the only source of light was a dimly lit street light on stage. The entire theater smelled of maple syrup from the fog being pumped out. Billows of fog were rolling throughout the audience. Some smaller children began to fake cough until a teacher’s quick snap of her fingers was heard and all went back silent. Suddenly, the spotlight went upon a choir in the corner as they began to sing a hymnal in a low, glum tone. If an unknowing passerby heard them from the street, one would think a funeral was in procession. An elderly man feebly walked out on a golden cane. The choir hushed as he passed. No smile did he wear; he wore a scowl that would send even the devil running. When it was learned that the man was Scrooge, it came as no surprise.

With each scene everyone came to despise this despicable man. His blunt rudeness became utterly intolerable through each statement he made. As the show progressed and it was seen he must endure visits from three ghosts, it almost seemed proper to think it served him right. But as each ghost began to visit and more was learned about this man, empathy for him arose. Some of his actions, although not excused, became more understood. At the climax of the play, when the choice was given to Scrooge to change or precede as he was, joy filled every watcher as they viewed him overtaking the path of kindness and servitude. It brought tears to some, as they watched someone so cold and cruel transform into a person full of warmth and loveliness. At the closing, many of the students had questions for the actors, none of which had as many questions as Bro. Allen Graham, who accompanied them on this outing. Each student wore a smile as they stood to stretch and leave.

Upon the ride home almost every conversation was engrossed about the play. Although they weren’t blessed with their usual “famous” Cece’s pizza, and had to settle for Mazio’s, still contentment could be noticeably seen. Each had learned a very important, valuable principle that day, that Christmas and every other day should not be consumed about one’s self and selfish desires but the goal of every person should be to be a servant, and to be kind and show love to everyone they come in contact with.