In the days leading up to Christmas, the Smart Minds educational center in Chicago hosted its traditional festive Christmas Party, which combined a concert program, Christmas traditions, and a charitable initiative. The event, held annually at the center, brought together students, parents, and guests.
This was reported by Radio UA Chicago / Surma Newspaper.
Currently, about 200 children aged 3 to 18 study at the educational center, most of them from Ukrainian or mixed families. The institution offers school readiness programs, additional classes in Ukrainian, English, and Spanish, mathematics, as well as sessions with a speech therapist, psychologist, and special education teacher. In addition, the center offers arts programs, including painting, contemporary dance, ensemble singing, and individual lessons in vocal performance and piano. Thirteen mentors work with the children.
Like most of the center’s events since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Christmas celebration had a charitable purpose. Before the concert program began, Volodymyr Dolynka, a representative of the PROTEZ FOUNDATION charitable fund, announced that the funds raised would be donated for prosthetic care for five-year-old Mariika from the city of Shakhtarsk. The girl has autism spectrum disorder, does not speak, and lost a leg as a result of a missile strike. This information evoked an emotional response among those present.
All students of the educational space took part in the festive program. The auditorium was packed. The concert segment was presented as a theatrical performance titled “The Four Seasons.” According to the storyline, the main character tried to determine which season was the most important, while the children, through their performances, helped her conclude that each season has its own value, and that winter brings special Christmas and New Year traditions.
During the celebration, choral carols were performed, solo vocal numbers were presented, dance compositions and festive scenes were showcased. Teachers of the center also took part in the program, appearing on stage together with the children. Their participation became part of the overall concept of the event.
“This is not just a concert — it is a wonderful opportunity for children to express their individuality and learn to work as a team. And how much it means that children are taught from an early age to be kind, compassionate, and to understand the hardships of others,” one of the guests shared her impressions.
The organizers also expressed their gratitude to the animators from Sova Events, who provided the photo zone, decorations, costumes, and the participation of fairy-tale characters — the Northern Reindeer, the American Santa Claus, and the Ukrainian Saint Nicholas, who handed out gifts to the children.
Photo: Radio UA Chicago / Surma Newspaper.
Author: Danylo Pievchev