Field Park students sang, danced, performed and shuffled for parents and peers in this year’s variety show.
The school’s fifth-grade boys closed the show, conducted Feb. 3 at McClure Junior High, with the Field Park Shuffle. Donning Chicago Bear jerseys and sunglasses, just like the Bears’ Shufflin’ Crew did nearly two decades before the students were born, they rhymed their way through a chronicle of their years at the Western Springs elementary school. They also swaggered out some rhymes for their next academic endeavors:
We made some great friends over the years.
More Top Picks Best Baby Cribs
We learned from the best, we have no fears.
So bring on McClure and Mr. Chick
We’ll take what you got, we’ll make it stick!
More than 185 students had a hand in the production, whether performing or doing everything from working concessions to handling publicity efforts.
While parents may still have the lyrics of “Shake It Off” rolling around their heads as five dance acts used the Taylor Swift hit for their performances, no one seemed to mind.
“They all had totally different versions though,” show co-coordinator Susan Wyckoff said, shaking off any negativity about the repeating lyrics. “Last year, I think we had that many performances of ‘Let It Go’ from ‘Frozen.'”
Wyckoff, who has had children at the school for 12 consecutive years, loves the annual variety show.
“It is like an old-fashioned, 1970s show,” Wyckoff said. “It is a piece of Americana.”
Field Principal Brad Promisel praised the work done by event organizers, saying they did a great job in making this year’s show a success.
He said the annual show provides a chance for students to perform in front of parents, staff and fellow pupils.
“The variety show is an opportunity to see students who you know in a different way,” Promisel said. “Every year I see students do things that I have no idea they are able to do.”
He said it is great to see students overcome their worries and angst and be able to perform in the show.
“I am not sure I had the courage at their age to do that,” Promisel said.
Mary Rintz, another organizer of the annual event, said parents put time in to make the event happen, but noted that it is a labor of love.
“It is a lot of work, but it is a lot of joy too,” Rintz said. “The kids are awesome to work with.”
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.