New performers, returning favorites will take stage for Hometown Christmas

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy and coordinator of the Hometown Christmas production, meets with performers and support staff on Sunday for the 5th annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas.

About 50 performers will be on the stage for three shows on Dec. 13 at Holy Family Parish Lyceum. Some new performers for this year’s show include Josie Waverly and Rachel Curtin, the Albion Elementary School principal. Waverly for the first time will also sing publicly with Marcy Downey, an Albion native and professional singer.

Hometown Christmas also serves as memorial for Nicholas Kovaleski. He inspired the Albion community with his valiant fight against leukemia. He died at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis. He would have graduated last June and likely would be a college freshman.

His mother Kelly and his sister Michayla will also perform during the show on Dec. 13.

During his fight with leukemia, Nick urged the community to “Live with Purpose.” His classmates and the school staff and teachers continue to keep Nick’s memory and his message alive. Proceeds from the show are used for a scholarship in Nicholas Kovaleski’s name. It is given to a senior who lives with purpose.

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File photo – Catherine Thom and other dancers in Gotta Dance by Miss Amy perform Snowflakes, an excerpt from the Nutcracker during last year’s Hometown Christmas. The row in the back includes, from left: Laiken Ricker, Rylie Lear and Lauren Thomas.