Junior High Man'amko Ukulele Concert

Dear Friends, Family, & Readers:

            On December 1^st, the ukulele students from the junior high side of our school performed a short Christmas concert at the Man’amko Center (also called the aging center).  Man’amko is a Chamorro word that means elderly and the prefix “Man” simply makes it plural.  I went to t his performance last year and it was as heartwarming now as it was then.  It is wonderful to see Saipan Community School students respecting their elders and providing some entertainment. There really are not too many places to show off their talent on the island when it comes to performances.  Ukulele performances will be taking place at Joeten Shopping Center (by select students), the Saipan Community Chapel, and the Saipan Multipurpose Center throughout the year.  After students performed at Man’amko (which is located next to Gold’s Gym & Sugar King Park, off of middle road), they went to McDonald’s and performed outside.  Unfortunately students had lost all concentration because of the anticipation of eating at the Golden Arches.  The blazing sun did not help the students concentrate, and I can’t blame them because it was hard to see Mrs. Winkfield in the bright light (many students did not have sun glasses or hats).  Mrs. Winkfield had wanted to perform for McDonald’s because we go their every year after playing at Man’amko and wanted to share the joy of playing the ukulele as a sign of our thankfulness.  Perhaps there is some other to show our thankfulness….  I was surprised when the McDonalds manager came and gave the supervising teachers lemonade/strawberry ice drinks. Needless to say we accepted the gesture of appreciation. I hope you enjoy the pictures below (Note: If you click on the picture it will enlarge the photo).

Two 8th grade Korean students having a good time.

My 6th graders showing their excitement.

Two 6th grade hams (one bearing a strange resemblance to Johnny Cash)

The whole group performing in panoramic.

Six of 8th grade students marching while playing a piece from The Nutcracker known as March of the Nutcracker Soldiers.

An 8th grade student playing the Christmas Song otherwise known as Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire.

Mrs. Winkfield: Bible Teacher, Art, and Ukulele teacher of Saipan Community School handing out bells to the audience to keep time with the students playing their last number.

This is one of my favorite parts to the Man'amko concert.  Near the end of the performance, volunteers are asked to come up an play the Ukulele with the band.  The students simply do the fingerings for the volunteers while standing behind them.

A 6th grade boy receives a quiet praise of thankfulness from an audience member.  After the concert, students were given candy canes to distribute to those who had taken the time to listen.

An 8th grade girl receives a hug & a blessing form a woman  in the audience.

Unruly students playing in the scorching heat outside of McDonalds before running inside to get in line.

If you are interested in learning more about events that go on at Man'amko, you can always visit the center directly as they do not have a website as of yet that I know of.  Perhaps that is something a person gifted in computers could do as a service project for those at the center.  

Since my father is in Rotary, I thought I would share this article from the Saipan Tribune of the Rotary Club making Thanksgiving dinner for the residents.  You can read this article at:

http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=114438

Sincerely Yours,

Grant

Saipan Time Standard Chamorro Time (also Guam Time):