FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com march 24, 2016 • The Courier sun 33 “ST. FRANCIS PREP; A MIRROR OF QUEENS, A MIRROR OF THE WORLD” According to nyc.gov, Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world. And St. Francis Prep, one of our country’s lasrgest Catholic high schools is not only a mirror of both Queens and that diversity, but an institution that embraces it. One of the ways we do that is by offering almost 20 ethnic clubs that celebrate the varied and unique heritages of our school community. Prep is a place where that diversity is not just celebrated, but embraced. The best way to embrace diversity is to learn about different cultures and traditions. And every year, we put our diversity on grand display with our annual Interntional Night (this year, on FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH at 6:00PM at St. FRANCIS PREP). This gives our ethnic clubs the opportunity to prepare special foods, prepare and perform traditional dances and music, and wear tradtional garb that again, highlight and celebrate the myriad cultures and heritages in our school community. The event wraps up a week-long celebration (there’s that word again) of the broad spectrum of cultures represented by our students and Students perform a traditional dance at St. Francis Prep’s International Night Photo: Adriana Lopetrone teachers alike. Throughout the week leading up to International Night, our Morning Prayer is offered in different languages, music from different cultures and heritages is played in between classes, and rehearsals ramp up in anticipation of the event itself. In short, the world is on display at Prep! Prep senior, Caroline Sawires is a member of ST. FRANCIS PREP PRESENTS AN AMERICAN CLASSIC GREASE In 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John brought the 1950’s back to life with the release of the film Grease that June. This April 15th, 16th, and 17th, the 1950’s will be coming to life at St. Francis Prep, when the school’s Alvernian Drama Society will be producing a weekend run of the “school” version. This particular version has additional songs, including “Those Magic Changes,” and “Freddy My Love.” The production will feature cameo appearances by faculty and staff members, including Prep’s new chaplain, Father Mark Simmons, and Princiapl, Patrick McLaughlin. Additionally, Prep’s Varsity Football Coach, Rich Carroll will be playing “the coach.” There is a cast and crew of about 80 students. Over 200 aditioned for the production. According to Donn Mejia, Prep’s Director of the Alvernian Drama Society, there was a buzz amonst the students for this particular musical. Shows will be on Friday, April 15th at 8PM, Saturday, April 16th at 7PM, and Sunday, April 17th at 2PM. All shows will be in the Brother Ralph Clifford Memorial Auditorium at St. Francis Prep, 6100 Francis Lewis Boulevard in Fresh Meadows. Tickets are $12, and $5 for students and seniors the Middle Eastern Club. She’ll be performing traditional Egyptian and Moroccan dances. Her favorite part of the club is performing with her peers. She also enjoys seeing the other clubs. As she pointed out, there are great differences between each culure’s music, and it’s nice to be exposed to them. She went on to talk about how for so many students, their culture is their identity, and International Night provides a way to share that and bring awareness. If you’re interested in sharing in our International Night on Friday, April 8th at 6:00PM, please contact our General Office at (718) 423-8810, or look for details on our homepage, www.sfponline.org. TICKETS SELL OUT FAST!!! We look forward to celebrating with you! For more information, please contact: David Ganci, Director of Student Activities, (718) 423-8810, x224, or dganci@sfponline. org
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