Holiday traditions continue through dance

Andrew Speicher

Dancers dressed as Santa, reindeer, and wisemen pranced around the stage in the tradition that is, A Christmas for the Generations. The show took place on Dec. 6 and 7 at Central High School. 

This year was Generations Performing Arts Center’s 18th year of putting on the show. The performance consisted of dancers ranging from preschool to seniors in high school. Practice for the show starts in October. The dancers practice 

The dance company hosts many South students. One of them includes sophomore, Riley Bannister. This was Bannister’s tenth Christmas show. 

“The show is a way to get into the Christmas spirit as well as share the stage with some of my best friends,” said Bannister. 

Not only were current South students featured in the show, but also future South students. Heidi Busch, a fifth grader at Hanby Elementary, was in the show as Clara from The Nutcracker and the angel in the nativity scene. Busch has been dancing since she was three years old.

 “I love the show, because it puts my two favorite things together: dance and Christmas,” said Busch. Busch will be attending South in 2023. 

Angie Haver, director of Generations PAC, has been teaching dance for 42 years. Haver said the idea of the show came from Twas the Night Before Christmas. “We started the show because years ago Westerville was lacking Christmas activities,” Haver said. 

The dance company added six new routines this year and heard very positive feedback from audience members, according to Haver. Furthermore, Generations PAC gives back to the community by hosting elementary school shows for students to attend during the school day. 

Overall, this has become a staple tradition within the Westerville community to kick off the holiday season.