Donning all the colors of the season, students ages 2-7 lit up the school stage at The Creative Learning Center’s 28th Holiday Performance, Dec. 18-20 – with hundreds of proud parents and friends cheering on the show.
It was also an emotional reunion for a Kendall father who returned home from military deployment in time for Christmas. U.S. Army Master Sergeant Christopher Cooke surprised his four-year-old daughter Victoria during the Holiday Pageant’s first day, in which she played Mrs. Claus
In fact, it was a Christmas wish come true for Cooke’s daughter. She had no idea her dad was home until he surprised her at the school event – after not seeing him for seven months.
Cooke was quoted in a CBSMiami interview as saying, “A lot of emotions. Nervous. Excited. Happy. Scared. I didn’t want to blow the moment.” He waited until after she completed her performance on stage before making his grand appearance.
Cooke has been in the Army for 22 years and retires in two weeks. For the last seven months, he has been stationed in Washington State. The father of two last saw his family in person when his son was born seven months ago. But now, everyone is back together again.
“It has been a long time. Every day I think about my family,” Cooke said.
The Creative Learning Center takes a whole-child approach to Early Childhood Education. School Director Emilu Alvarez says their mission is to make a difference in the cognitive growth and development of the young children, while meeting the needs of the community by providing quality care.
“Our annual family celebration of the holidays recognizes the diverse group of families we have at the Creative Learning Center,” said Alvarez. “Today’s was the first of five shows that also celebrate Chanukah and Kwanza – we even a classroom that will be doing a Vietnamese song recognizing the family we have from that country.” The Holiday Performance series concluded with a reenactment of the Christian nativity scene.
So when Victoria’s mom approached Alvarez to explain that her daddy was finally coming home from duty, she said she wanted to surprise their child at the show.
“The parents were wonderful and accepting that we did it, literally right in the middle of the show,” says Alvarez. “But we’re a community, a big family, and everyone was incredibly supportive.”
“‘tis the season for family, love, and acceptance,” she added.
The CLC has shared the grounds of Central Presbyterian Church on SW 104th Street in Kendall for 32 years. “We adjoin the church and are a mission of the church, but we don’t teach the philosophy of the church,” says Alvarez, noting however, that all her teachers are in fact Christians.
“This time of year, there’s a greater sense of coming together. There’s such a show of love, of partnership, and everyone wants this event to be successful,” she added.
Alvarez and staff thanked the CLC parents for their assistance with costumes. party preparations, book fair, and responses to fundraisers in the months leading up to the show.
“Actually, preparation started way back in October with a Trunk-or-Treat event, and then we hosted a Chuck E. Cheeses family-fun night and fundraiser, with all the proceeds going toward the costumes.”
Located at 12455 SW 104th St., in Kendall, CLC is a private, nonprofit preschool and kindergarten established in 1981. For information, call 305-274-4006 or visit www.creativelearningmiami.org.
Dear Mr. Kress,
I just read the article about Creative Learning Center and their wonderful staff, especially Ms. Emilu Alvarez. I had the pleasure of working with Emilu many years ago as a young teenager finding her way to a career with children. She is phenomenal both in spirit and heart. Her dedication is a true reflection of who she is and helped pave the path for me and my 20 years as an elementary school teacher. Thank you for the lovely article. Sincerely, Frances Capo