Spring always brings an abundance of amazing live performances at D-E! Fifth Graders recently took center stage to present a set of three distinct shows for this year’s Fifth Grade Original Musicals (formerly known as the Fifth Grade Opera). What makes this event so amazing is its focus on collaboration and that each student has a specific role that’s essential to any production — scriptwriter, composer, musician, actor, set or costume designer, stage manager, and public relations officer. The first show, titled “Meister Heisters,” was about kids that get tricked into thinking they will be in a movie about an art heist that ends up being a real heist. The kids work together to double-cross the criminal and then, in a stroke of good karma, receive a monetary reward in the process. The second show was about a girl who feels pushed by her mother to get perfect grades. She’s transported to a different time and place where everyone is forced to do hard labor and isn’t used to having fun because they are ruled by a demanding king. She helps teach the ruler how to be kind and give his villagers a better life. When she returns home, the girl decides she will speak to her mother about her feelings, rather than lashing out. The final show also highlighted the importance of kindness to others. Special thanks to Ms. Dove, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Maloney, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Mannie for helping our fifth graders shine in the spotlight!