Each year that I have been a teacher at Unquowa I look forward to the buzz that starts to occur around mid November. It is at this time that auditions happen, cast lists go up, and students new and old begin to get excited about the traditional roles of Winterfest that they will be part of this year! The gym slowly transforms into a truly magical place that seems to put a spell on all of us. Yes, schedules are upended and rehearsals eventually take over some part of our day, but the excitement of students is what makes it all worth it. Sitting in the gym this year, I was once again amazed by the talent of our students, but it is so much more than singing, dancing and an always cleverly written play. It is the students you have watched who it seems one year are the young knights of Winterfest and in a blink of an eye are now Kings and Queens. It is watching the student who five years ago had a hard time participating in class and is now singing a solo with confidence. It is watching students become leaders and examples to younger students. As I looked around the gym this year, I also looked at teachers watching their students, our students, with glowing pride, some even with tears. It is a pride in a job well done by us all; both faculty and students. When children are supported, cared for and encouraged, they truly will display an unafraid spirit!