Being thankful for who we are

Thanksgiving has arrived, and with it a holiday off for relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. High school students are more than eager to have fun during their long weekend. This includes the proud cast of Hewlett High School’s production of “A Chorus Line.”

The play was performed on Nov. 20, 22, and 23, and brought the entire community together. People of all ages came to see the students unveil what they have been working on for months. Rehearsing everyday after school, the students, from big to small roles all worked extremely hard to make the show. Their hard work paid off, and nothing but pride and positivity was expressed by the cast and crew. At the end of each performance, the audience gave a well deserved applauding standing ovation.

“The play is meaningful in that the 21 of us had to come together as a group since there isn’t one star. As a result, we all became close with people who we wouldn’t normally be associated with,” senior Adon Chowdury said.

Each year, students continue to be a part of the play’s cast not only for the ability to perform, but also to have fun with close friends. The show has proved to be a great way to learn and make great friends at the same time.

“Performing as Cassie in ‘A Chorus Line’ was special to me because as a senior it was my last musical performance at Hewlett High School. It was an honor and a pleasure working with such a talented group of people that became like family to me,” Alissa Giannotti said. “Also, it was an amazing experience to have shared the stage with the 2000 cast of ‘A Chorus Line’ As a Hewlett High School student, it has been a privilege to have been taught and directed by two phenomenal teachers, Mr. [Walter] Lastowski and Mr. [Eric] Williams, who always inspire their students to do their very best. This will be an experience I will never forget.”

A reading ‘Wonder’

Quoted from the book “Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio, “I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.”

“Wonder,” is this year’s Hewlett-Woodmere community read. Different members of the community discussed the story at the World Café on Nov. 25, at Woodmere Middle School. Student members of the Youth Leadership Forum served as leaders of the table conversations as participants in the Café switched tables. The book has been promoted in the community for the past few months and has been loved by many; copies were in high demand at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library.

“Wonder” is narrated by a 10-year-old boy, August Pullman, who appears to be completely normal. However, Pullman has a facial disfigurement and because of it is considered an outsider by peers. The character manages to keep a positive outlook on life, despite what people tell him. The book teaches how being different on the outside isn’t necessarily bad, it’s what makes each of us special in the inside that matters.

From watching students thrive on stage, to reading about a child happy with whom he is, it’s important in society to accept and embrace yourself and others. Everyone is born with distinctive features that set him or her apart from societal norms. As a generation, people should be thankful for each other’s qualities in order to learn from one another.