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SIS musical goes virtual
Saipan International School creates a virtual musical video that also became a contest. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Saipan International School did not let COVID-19 cancel its beloved annual musical this month, with classmates, family, and friends collaborating to create a virtual musical video that also became a contest.
In an eclectic mix of entries that included Tik-Tok dances, family dance routines, and staff meeting lip-synching, the SIS community came together to sing, dance, play musical instruments, and provide messages of humor and hope.
The virtual contest was sponsored by two restaurants—The Shack and Spicy Thai Noodle Place—who offered awards to winning entries.
Videos were uploaded to the Award Force platform, which allowed for community members to vote on their favorite entry in a People’s Choice category, and for selected judges to assess the best performance in each category: elementary, middle, high school, alumni, and family and friends.
“The virtual musical made me realize that anything is possible. No virus can diminish the Gecko spirit,” said kindergarten director Pam Villadores-Walsh.
Winners included:
• Elementary: Ms. Kathy’s “Dance Monkey”
• Middle school: 8th grade “Radioactive”
• High School: 9th grade “9th Grade Musical Video”
• Family + Friends: Casa de Song’s “New Face”
• Alumni: SIS Teacher’s Past with “We Are Family”
• People’s Choice: Ms. Pam’s Pre-K and Kindergarten “Zumba Dance”
For the last 20 years, each SIS class would perform a musical act for the customary school event, typically held at a local resort. This year, the musical was scheduled to be held at Saipan World Resort and would have paid tribute to SIS musicals from the past. The pandemic canceled that plan.
“One thing we’ve learned,” SIS headmaster Ron Snyder said, “is sometimes you have to change your approach to a fixed idea.”
See a highlight of the musical submissions in this SIS highlight reel: https://www.saipaninternationalschool.com/sis-blog/sisvirtualmusical
SIS is open for enrollment in fall 2020: https://www.saipaninternationalschool.com/how-to-apply. (PR)
