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April 16, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Lancer Improv Group Works Hard To Tickle Your Funny Bone
Catch the members of the Saint
Francis improv troupe, Shakespeare’s
Dropouts, on stage playing such games
as Swinging Pendulum of Death or
Freeze Tag, and the guffaws, chortles
and grins are bound to be plenty.
“I love it because I like to make
people laugh,” says senior Dominic
Agudelo. “It’s rewarding when you
throw out a joke that you thought
about, or didn’t think about. I love the
sensation of having people value what
you say, but also appreciate it because
it’s entertaining.”
The audition-based group, a nine-
member ensemble supported by a
team manager, recently held a show in
the school’s Performing Arts Center,
graduating there after its audience got
too big for the Little Theater. Unfazed
by the nonsensical scenarios they find
themselves in, these performers still
have to fight nerves before getting on
stage. For junior Sofia Graziani, who
acts in musical theater, the unpredict-
able nature of improv can be unsettling.
But it gets better “once you put the
pressure off yourself, the pressure of ‘I
have to be funny’ and just have fun,”
she says.
And then, those first laughs from
the audience always calm the but-
terflies.
“When the laughter starts rolling
in, it’s like, ‘I know this crowd. They’ll
laugh at anything so it’ll be good,’”
says senior Paulina Cerros with a
chuckle.
However, the improv members take
their funny business very seriously.
The group holds regular practices to
stay nimble, and they examine their
performances, scrutinizing every-
thing from enunciation to knowing
how to move on when they feel stuck
in a scene.
“A major thing when we’re nervous
is we’ll talk over each other because
we’re trying to say what comes to
mind and be funny,” says Sofia. “We’ll
remind ourselves not to talk over each
other because playing off each other is
really important.”
The benefits of laughter are many;
these students know that a good laugh
can lower stress and strengthen bonds.
“We have a group text message,
and we text each other all the time,”
says Paulina.
Whether they communicate with
funny voices or wild hand gestures,
members of Shakespeare’s Dropouts
love being able to serve their school
with their gifts.
“It’s great to showcase that odd tal-
ent that is so specific,” says Dominic.
“You have to think of things quickly,
work in a group, be funny and work a
crowd. It’s my favorite thing.”
Saint Lucy Students Shine in Annual Talent Show
Saint Lucy School students are en-
couraged to share their talents every
year in the annual student-led Spring
Talent Show. The show is managed by
Student Council, and included more
than 20 acts in every grade from Pre-K
to 8th. By working in groups to develop
acts, design costumes, and coordinate
music, the students have wonderful
opportunities to engage their creative
talents in live performances, athletics,
music, and their love of the arts.
Students dazzled their audience
with singing, guitar and piano play-
ing, hula hooping, dancing, karate, and
more. This year, Student Council closed
the show with a musical dance number
that energized everyone. The cheers
that filled the gymnasium were infec-
tious, and showcased the high level of
school spirit found on the Saint Lucy
School campus. Students all demon-
strated an amazing side of themselves!
Principal Sue Grover shared: “Our
talent show is a beloved tradition that
encourages students to step up and let
their talents shine on stage. Students
and teachers look forward to this event
every year.”
J U N E 1 1 – J U LY 1 9
Saint John Vianney School and Parish staffs gather with Coadjutor Bishop Oscar Cantú.
Bishop Cantú Visits Saint John Vianney
Cam p s and c la s s e s fo r 1s t –12th g r a d e r s
Register now at
bcp.org/summer
On March 14, Saint John Vianney
(SJV) Catholic School was honored
with a visit by Coadjutor Bishop Oscar
Cantú. A school-wide Mass was cel-
ebrated, and rejoiced in song with our
SJV Choir, led by Mrs. Adams, Choir
Director.
Parents, grandparents and the
Parish Community gathered at Saint
John Vianney Church to be a part of
this special Mass. Father Steve Brown
concelebrated Mass with Bishop Cantú.
Showing our appreciation for Bish-
op Cantú’s visit, the school gifted him
a blanket, made by the hands of each
student, along with a special person-
alized book with sincere wishes and
blessings.
Principal, Laura Seminatore and As-
sistant Principal, Barbara Spencer, led
the Bishop around the campus.
Students were excited to ask the
Bishop questions about his childhood,
family, and becoming Bishop.
Bishop Cantú addressed the stu-
dents with a message of Lenten hope
and renewal; he reminded the students
that they are children of God, respect
their parents, and love and serve the
Lord.
The parish and school staffs were
delighted to join Bishop Cantú and
Father Steve for lunch. The day was
enjoyed by all.