EXETER — You could hear a pin drop as students from Wyoming Area Catholic walked into the multipurpose gym single-file to watch eighth-graders perform the Living Stations of the Cross, a long-standing tradition at the school.
The hallways were quiet with only the sound of soles of shoes on the floor as each student entered the gym. One-by-one, with seemingly little direction, each student found his or her seat.
When all were seated, members of the eighth-grade class entered the gym, walking into place as the choir, yunder the direction of Jackson Fiore, began to sing. Children in their seats craned their necks to see the actors approach the stage.
Each year, a rite of passage takes place where the outgoing eighth-grade class performs the Living Stations and underclassmen look forward to the day when the honor of performing is theirs.
One such eighth-grader was Hayden Foland, of Exeter, who has looked forward to playing the part of Jesus since he was in third grade.
“I’ve always wanted to be Jesus and I’ve seen all plays in the church,” Foland said. “In sixth and seventh grade, everybody in the class wanted me to Jesus because they thought I fit.”
Foland confessed to being nervous before the production played in front of the entire student body at Wyoming Area Catholic (WAC). Even though nerves set it, Foland believes his role would influence underclassmen.
“There were one or two giggles when we were practicing. We had our fun times when we practiced, but once we got to the real performance, we were there,” Foland admits.
Practice began a month ago and was led by religious instructor Toni Griseto. Since the WAC eighth-grade class is comprised of only 21 students, some students had to double up on roles.
“When we come down here to practice, we have such a good time,” Griseto said. “The first time Jesus has to fall, it’s awkward and when Judas gives him a kiss, there are lots of giggles there and it’s expected. They have to get it out of their system.”
Griseto said when it was time to get serious, the students understood what that meant.
“They remember what it was like when they were the little kids. When they hear the hammer (nailing Jesus to the cross) and they remember how they felt, they want to make it right for the other students,” Griseto said.
Theresa Morgan, of Kingston, whose son Aiden was part of the production, felt the program was powerful.
“It was beautiful, very heartwarming and powerful,” Morgan said. “They all worked very hard for it; it was beautiful.”
“They were incredibly mature and it’s not easy to get up as an eighth-grade boy,” Eileen Rishcoff, school principal, said. “They were phenomenal; I thought it was really very, very devout. I was moved.”
At the end of the performance, all the actors exited the stage in silence. The rest of the student body walked back to class the same way then entered the gym … in silence.
A second performance will take place today at 3 p.m. at Wyoming Area Catholic.
