Phoenix Temple Cultural Celebration

 

This past Saturday the youth in our region had the opportunity to participate in the Phoenix Temple Cultural Celebration.  This performance celebrates the opening of our newest temple.  Each stake was given several song and dance numbers that the youth had to learn and perform.  (Our stake was actually given one more than everyone else.)  After 10 weeks of long practices, the youth were able to show off all they had learned.  The end result was fantastic.  Jeremy and I had been given two of the coveted performance tickets and were able to watch Noah and the rest of the kids perform.  

 

Dress Rehearsal.  The kids had a LONG day... over 15 hours on performance day!

 

Noah and his friend Justin B. before the performance.

The opening number, "Arise."  The front kids represent a firepit.

 

Another shot of the opening number.

Our stake's song and dance number.  Our first one was a tribute to the military.

The ending of our stake's first performance. 

Our stake's second song and dance performance was a swing dance.  The kids did awesome!  Most were even able to do the "pretzel" and the flip.

Very blurry, but the second boy back (middle) is Noah and his partner, Abby D.  She actually turned 13 this day.  Noah lucked out with such a great partner.

Another stake's song and dance performance.

Another stake's song and dance performance.

The ending song and dance performance with all 4300 youth ages 12-18 that performed.

 

A glimpse at what the 4300 kids all look like together.

Not the greatest picture either, but can you see the Prophet?  Yep, President Thomas S. Monson was in attendance along with Elder D. Uchdorf and Dallin H Oaks.  Pretty cool.

BE THE LIGHT!