Presenting a fan favorite

St. James Santiago School students will take the stage at Lincoln City’s Beach Club and Event Center on Saturday, May 13, in a student showcase to celebrate the school’s 10th anniversary. The free event includes student entertainment, a silent auction and quilt raffle, and birthday cake.

“At this time of year, we would normally be holding a fundraising concert by a musical group from one of our world-study countries,” Director Julie Fiedler said. “But this year it seemed best to make the students the centerpiece of the school’s 10th birthday, and thank the community for its support with a party.”

Since this year’s world study is Asia, third and fourth grade students will perform an exuberant Bollywood dance choreographed by Michelle La Fontaine, the director of Mis LaFontaine Bollywood of Salem. La Fontaine worked with students in the fall, thanks to a grant from the Walter R. Behrens Foundation.

Students from grades five through eight will act out a play based on a Chinese folktale, “The Purple Fan” by Kenneth Scollon. Using the Chinese tradition of employing actors to embody props, the play is both comic and dramatic.

A silent auction will include items from area restaurants, including Mazatlan, McMenamins, Mo’s and Momiji Express, vacation certificates from Oregon Beach Vacations and Meredith Lodging and more. A last-minute chance to purchase raffle tickets for a gorgeous sea-themed quilt from local quilt artist Pat Lay will end in the drawing of the winning ticket.

Guests will enjoy birthday cake with students and the rest of the school community.

Founded in 2013 at St. James Santiago Episcopal Church, the school has grown, constructed a new classroom building and thrived during the pandemic as a K-8 non-profit, private elementary.

The event begins at 6:30 pm at the Beach Club and Event Center, located at 2020 NE 22nd Street in Lincoln City.