For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 22, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Mast Way Elementary School Welcomes Up With People

DURHAM — Superintendent James Morse is pleased to announce that Oyster River Cooperative School District’s Mast Way Elementary School hosted the world-travelling performance group Up With People earlier this week.

The group spent the day Tuesday at Mast Way, where they welcomed students to a culture fair which featured lessons about 15 countries before paying visits to individual classrooms to present cultural diversity workshops.

“It’s more important than ever for students to have a deep understanding of the value of diversity,” Superintendent Morse said. “Up With People brings a unique brand of entertainment that’s deeply intertwined with critical life lessons, and I am so glad that our students could interact with and learn from them.”

Up With People is a global education, service leadership and performing arts program that takes young adults from around the world on a six month tour of the globe, where they work to create change and leave behind a positive impact on the communities they visit. This year’s cast includes 100 young adults representing 23 states and 15 countries.

“My year with Up With People was an experience that will always be a part of who I am and how I choose to live my life,” Mast Way music teacher and Up With People alum Pam Felber said. “I believe that we are better when we take the time to understand the differences between us, and Up With People helps bring that message to our students in a fun and engaging way.”

The cast will wrap up their stay in Portsmouth this weekend, which will culminate in a pair of performances tonight and tomorrow afternoon at Portsmouth High School. The show, “The Journey,” is a high-energy, professionally-produced show that features medleys of hits from the 60’s through today, as well as international songs and dances, and original songs with a message of hope and peace.

Performances, which are sponsored by Whole Life Health Care, will be held this evening at 7 p.m., and again tomorrow, Sept. 23. Tickets for both shows cost $10 for children age 13 and under, $15 for students and $20 for adults.

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