On February 26, 2015, McCracken Middle School sponsored the A.C.T., “Shine A Light” concert. In total from that night, the District 73.5 community was able to raise a whopping $2,500! All of the profits will be donated to children in Ghana. A.C.T. is deeply grateful for those who attended Leap For Ghana 2015 and those who donated. Thank you! Some special guests included Mayor Van Dusen, Patrick Nyarko from the Chicago Fire Soccer Team, professional singers Wendy Morgan & the Band, Amanda Friedeman from the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and Mike Isaacs from the Skokie Review.
You can now purchase the song, “Shine a Light,” which was performed by McCracken’s choirs either online or in the form of a download card. The song was generously written for A.C.T. by Wendy & DB. Here's a link to download the song! Shine A Light Middle School Version
Check out the article in the Skokie Review for a preview of the song!
The Shine a Light Concert on the 26th included a variety of music by solo singers, quartets, groups, and even some instrument solos. Wendy & DB, the band who helped McCracken choir students and ACT record “Shine a Light”, performed their formerly written song, “People are People”, and then sang along with a few risers full of students in a rousing chorus of “Shine a Light.” The song was formerly recorded at The Mayne Stage, a venue in Rogers Park with group of students, and the song had been written especially for the occasion, as Wendy was inspired by Mrs. Ciok's appearance on NPR in the spring of 2014 and the work being done by our students.
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| Leap for Ghana! Shine A Light! |
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| Items for sale! |
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| T-shirts for sale! |
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| Poster making! |
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| The Blades family makes great popcorn! |
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| Opening speech by Grace |
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| Beautiful solo performances- what talent! |
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| Everyone was moved by this year's performances! |
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| Great turnout of students and community members! |
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| What we've accomplished so far... |
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| Ending speech |
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| Wendy Morgan of Wendy & DB |
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| Shine A Light Performance |
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| Shine A Light Performance |
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| Patrick Nyarko from the Chicago Fire! |
After recording, Wendy & DB announced that they will be donating 5% of their upcoming album, A Doo Da Day, to A Better Life for Kids. This album has a recording of Shine A Light on it, performed by the band with the McCracken students singing the chorus. All profits from the recording done completely by McCracken students benefits A Better Life for Kids. In the concert, performing students who weren’t already there came up onto the risers, all in matching personalised t-shirts, and joined the band for one last song. “It was an incredible experience singing “Shine A Light” for everyone at the concert,” says Abigael P, a 6th grader who sang that night.
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| Thanks for coming Amanda from the Illinois Holocaust Museum! |
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| Always great to see alumni! |
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| More alumni! |
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| Jen Ciok, Patrick Nyarko, Shelley Nizynski |
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