On Saturday, October 9, fifty-five Stagelight Performing Arts‘ students and roughly 15 parents braved the heat and performed in the Placentia’s 51st Heritage Parade. It was a scorcher of a day, but our Stagelighters performed their hearts out and brought joy to the citizens of Placentia.

At least 61 children from various organizations–none from Stagelight Performing Arts–came down with heat-related illnesses during the parade, according toKTLA.com.

Our students waited over three hours to perform in the parade, but they performed with heart, expression, and excitement. And although many were disappointed that we couldn’t finish the parade after decisions were made that the heat was too much, we are happy to say that all Stagelight kids were well-hydrated, fed, and healthy by the time their parents picked them up from an impromptu location (that thankfully had shade!).

We are so proud of our Stagelight community that boasts of kind and inclusive kids–kids who spent those three hours prior to performing laughing together, rehearsing choreography, sharing snacks, and staying off their cell phones and personal devices. These are the children we’re sending off into the future, and the future is surely going to be BRIGHT with them at the helm.

Led by Team Captain Meghan Pulley, kids fromStagelight Performing Arts and Stagelight Family Productions have “teamed” together to raise money for CHOC Hospital. Using the upcoming CHOC Walk as a goal to help raise the funds, Team Stagelight members and their families have hosted Lemonade Stands, Bake Sales, e-mail and Facebook outreach campaigns, and other creative methods to raise $5467 as of October 5, 2015.

Of the fundraising efforts, Team Captain Pulley says,“This is a truly great community of people, and I’m so proud of the kids for playing such a huge role in our efforts with their lemonade stands, garage sales, shoe and book sales, etc… You all should be so proud and I feel blessed to be in your company.”

Additional thanks to Akiko Clodt, who as a designer for Asics shoes, donated over 30 pairs of shoes to be sold for $10 each. All proceeds were donated to CHOC as a part of this effort.

On Sunday, October 11, at least 58 Stagelight participants and their family members will be walking the 5K CHOC Walk through the Disneyland Resort, wearing their Team Stagelight t-shirts, displaying pride over their efforts of fundraising a substantial amount of money (that will be used to keep kids in our community healthy!), and demonstrating the benefits of being involved, giving back, and positively impacting our community.

It’s not too late to join the team or donate. Click here for more information.

At the end of Musical Theatre Act & Dance on Tuesday, Ms. Lindsey sparked a kindness and affirmation train. “I had them all put their hands in the middle of the circle. I then asked for volunteers to tell a new friend that they had met that day,’You did a great job today!’ Then both the student that complimented and the person they complimented got a stamp that said ‘Great!’ It was a super cute way to get the kids to remember their new friends’ names and to speak aloud in front of an audience, and it ended with demonstrating kindness to their new friends.” ~Lindsey

Modeling and encouraging kindness in our children is a way we combat bullying, set a standard of respect for others, and encourage empathy. Well done, Stagelighters! Now, who can you affirm today?