Dayspring Christian Academy Students Travel Through Time To Discover True Meaning of Christmas

Students at Dayspring Christian Academy of Attleboro used a fictional time machine recently to illuminate the real purpose of Christmas during the school’s annual Christmas play staged at the adjacent South Attleboro Assembly of God Church.

          Combining holiday music with fantastic journeys through five decades, DCA students staged a production entitled “Back to the Manger” for a large crowd on hand. Loosely based on the “Back to the Future” cinematic trilogy of the 1980s and 1990s, “:Back to the Manger” encapsulates the mysterious adventures of seven primary characters catapulted to five decades – the 1940s through the 1980s – by a time machine. During their trips, all seven comprehend the true meaning of Christmas through experiences, songs and Biblical passages.

          According to faculty member Meegan Delvental (who directed the production), a total of 59 students participated in the program, which was supplemented by the efforts of several parents and other staff members.

          “I hope you were as moved as I was by the message of this play,” Mrs. Delvental said. “I deeply hope these themes will be replayed in our lives every day as we celebrate the birth of Christ.”

          The seven main characters were played by Julianna Phillips (as Norman), Ava Gomes (Taylor), Sharon Rajadurai (Grandma Betty), Tara Iannelli (Gloria),  Samuel Laurent (Jackson), Brooke Fontaine (Jasmine) and Michael Russell (Janitor Olson/Pastor Olson). Additional prominent roles were portrayed by Devin Dumont, Haley Berthiaume, Hannah Asermely, Sarah Amaral, Ezri Williams, Madeline Abjornson, Julie Thibodeau, Emily Pappas, Mercy Ekomwen, Lissette Westerlind, Abigail Champagne, Katie Conley, Delilah Dumont, Daryus Costa, Michaela Mulvey, Unwana Okokon, Gabby Freeman, Robbie Delvental, Garmodeh Willie, Praise Ekomwen, Joshua Plumber, Sophia Glennon, Gabby Granata and Christine Dapaah-Afriyie.

          Choir members included Orli Juarez, Caleb DeCastro, Paul Ekomwen, Erin Conley, Reuben DePina, Faith Boirard, Abigail Phillips, Lianna Derr, Hannah Brouillard, Samantha Harrington, Dalia Al-megedi, Abigail Rajadurai, Hailey Bauer, Victoria Thibert, Varnai Kesselly, Shriya Shukla, Catherine Messier, Shelby Mendes, Julia DelVecchio, Anitha Koka, Claudia Agustin, Tonya Amaral, Tatum Bisch, Sarah Brouillard, Caitlyn Stanford and Maria Santana.

          Providing technical support were Christina Stanford, Brianna Stanford, Emily Gallo, Noa Juarez, Amarely Agustin, Ronda Bootland, Bruce Stanford, Darlene DeCastro, Bob Lavallee, Dona Gladys and Steve DuPlessie.

          In lieu of admission fees for spectators, DCA opted to solicit donations of canned foods from those in attendance which in turn were donated to the food pantry of the South Attleboro Assembly of God Church.