Solomon Schechter Day School 'Hero Show' a favorite tradition

First graders at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford today slipped into of one the biggest roles of their lives as they presented their heroes during the annual "Hero Show" produced by first grade teacher Joyce Ben-Kiki. 

The show was the culmination of several month of research and stage preparation during which they learned the importance of respecting differences and identifying the qualities that make a hero.  

This year, twelve students presented an exceptional line-up of heroes and demonstrated how these people have impacted our world and made it a better place to live. Among them were Thomas Edison, Carolyn Kuan, Ann Frank, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr.,  Daniel David Palmer, Sandy Koufax, Sally Ride, Neil Armstrong, Abraham Lincoln and Margot Fonteyn. 

"This is one of the school's favorite traditions for both young and old alike," said Joyce Ben Kiki. We have the opportunity to enjoy watching the first graders express their admiration for their personal heroes and role models. These heroic people can range from past presidents to sport heroes, from artists to musician, or their very own parents. 

"I've doing this show for more than 20 years now and every year is like the first time. I am amazed at how talented these kids are and how much they learn, grow and understand the values we are trying to communicate," added Ben-Kiki.