Before setting off on a winter break full of food and family, the students in the after school program at 826 Valencia focused their energies on creating an amazing end-of-the-year show. The First Annual "Express Yourself" Holiday Program allowed students to show off their many skills and included a reading, a talent show and a fashion show. The air inside the writing lab tingled with excitement. The students were thrilled by the opportunity to share their talents with so many of their favorite people. The program opened with a reading in which students shared some of their own work as well as that of their favorite authors. Mireya kicked off the show with Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee," and Marco read his letter to President Obama, which was featured in 826's Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country. Then Melody read her favorite Dr. Seuss story, and Joshy read the children's classic, Where the Wild Things Are.

After a brief intermission—during which spectators helped themselves to an assortment of homemade delicacies—students returned to show off still other skills. The audience was awestruck when Kenny solved the world's hardest math problem in a matter of minutes. Amidst cheers and chants, Terry gave the best soccer demonstration ever. After Jasmine's tribute dance to Michael Jackson and a cover of Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me," Adrian juggled clementines without bruising a single one! Following an enormous drum corps featuring students, staff, and volunteers, the lights dimmed for the penultimate act of the show. The stop motion film—edited by volunteer Bryan and featuring the directorial and voice talent of several students—was a huge crowd-pleaser. Who wouldn't love a movie about an epic battle over crystals in the desert?

For the grand finale, students rocked their new after school program t-shirts in a fashion show emceed by Cherylle, the Programs Assistant here at 826. Thanks to Cherylle for doing such an amazing job organizing the show and for all the family and volunteers who helped make it so festive! And, of course, an extra special thanks to the kids for sharing their extraordinary talents with us!