ST. GEORGE — Paradise Canyon Elementary School showcased their Spanish-only rendition of “The Lion King” on Friday with performances throughout three daytime shows and one in the evening at Snow Canyon High School.

Spanish dual immersion teachers Irene Bernal and Elena Briz organized this after-school project, aiming to boost students’ confidence in speaking Spanish through the arts.

But when Bernal and Briz went looking for existing material to make the project work, they hit a dead end.

So they rolled up their sleeves and wrote the script themselves.

“We basically created everything because we couldn’t find what we needed in Spanish,” Bernal told St. George News. “We created this show, and we even put the music in.”

The decision to perform “The Lion King” was an easy one for both drama teachers and their students, involving a student vote pitted against “Aladdin” and “Frozen.” Ultimately, they settled on “The Lion King.”

“It is one of the best musicals ever made,” Briz said.

While the educators created the curriculum, Paradise Canyon Elementary School principal Susan Harrah provided administrative help and supported the initiative from the outset.

“The Trust Lands helps us with events like these,” she said. “I support it because it’s such a dynamic experience for students to practice language proficiency and also have the arts involved.”

Student Addaleigh Lizarraga said the experience really helped her with her Spanish.

“Plus, it was super fun and had lots of dancing and singing,” she said.

Rehearsals began in January and were held every Tuesday and Thursday for 45 minutes. Initially set for 20-25 participants, the group expanded to some 45 students from second to fourth grades due to high interest.

“We spoke to the other teachers on behalf of the kids that didn’t need to be in something else,” Bernal said. “They allowed them to join.”

Bernal and Briz said they are grateful for all the support they’ve received.

“The principal supports us 100% in everything we need,” Briz said.

The teachers noted the play’s benefits, including improved communication skills, concentration, memory, reading comprehension and vocabulary.

“Rehearsing and performing requires a lot of concentration and improves memory as well,” Briz said.

The play’s interactive nature helped students relate to different situations and cultures, fostering empathy and collaboration.

“They have been mixed with kids in different grades, and it has been super fun to see how they’ve helped each other,” Briz said.

Added Harrah: “It’s just such a wonderful way for our students to experience language proficiency using the arts. So it’s just a really creative way for kids to be immersed in a language.”

Student London McMurray recalled how her feelings changed.

“I was scared at first because I don’t speak Spanish at home,” London said, “but when the teachers came, they taught me how to do it, and then I didn’t feel scared.”

Parents arrived up to an hour early for face painting, helping with the production. The show focused on the students’ performances with minimal set design.

“We had tons of parents painting faces and putting on costumes, and it’s a great way for our families to be engaged with the dual immersion program and the arts,” Harrah said.

Looking ahead, Bernal and Briz expressed their enthusiasm for continuing the program, citing its positive impact on students’ confidence and language skills.

“We would love to continue to do that after seeing the benefits and the huge impact this has had on the kids,” said Briz.

Student Korver Neumann said being in the play boosted his confidence.

“At first, I was afraid of being on the stage, but now I feel super good about it!” he said.

The teachers also emphasized the importance of community pride and involvement in the school’s achievements.

“We want to show it to everybody and make everybody feel proud,” Bernal said.

The principal applauded the accomplishment of the two drama teachers.

“The creative way that they thought of involving many children in this language proficiency, this language experience and doing it in such a way that can help foster the arts, is incredible,” Harrah said.

Students agreed.

“It was so fun, but if the teachers weren’t there, we couldn’t have done it,” said Ariana Aguilera.

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