By Mr. Trescavage

For 49 years, the Ballet Theatre of Scranton has been offering their rendition of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet for the Scranton-area community as a free gift. According to Ballet Theatre's website, the show has captivated over 350,000 audience members since its inception in 1976. The 2024 version, which ran from November 29th through December 1st, seated nearly 5,000 people in North Scranton's Goodwill Industries of Northeastern Pennsylvania Theater at North's venue.

Two Riverside 7th graders, Ruby Canfield and Brooklynn Trescavage, were members of the large ensemble of ballet dancers from third grade through 12th grade, who wowed the audience with their elegance and grace. The story of a nutcracker toy soldier who magically comes alive to protect a young girl named Clara on Christmas Eve from the Mouse King and his minions. Both Canfield and Trescavage were cast as part of the group of mice who battle the Nutcracker and an army of wooden soldiers on stage. In the midst of the battle, Canfield's frightened mouse was shot by a canon, causing other dancers to drag her off stage. Trescavage was one of a number of dancers who helped to lift and carry Clara, and then injured toy soldiers throughout the battle, until a wounded Nutcracker stabs the Mouse King with his sword.

After defeating the king, in Act 2, the Nutcracker transforms into a human prince, and with Clara in tow, travels to the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. There they are greeted by various groups of candy who pay tribute to the pair. Canfield and Trescavage were additionally cast as angels, who help to welcome both to the magical land.

Both girls performed in eight shows during the week of Thanksgiving--two on Monday, November 25th, an educational performance for many of the elementary schools from the Scranton School District. Then the girls performed twice a day from Friday, November 29th through December 1st.

Both girls look forward to next year's show, the 50th overall, as the studio continues to amaze audiences with its timeless tale. The show serves as a very important kickoff to the holiday season, so mark your calendars for Friday, November 28th, 2025.

During COVID, the Ballet Theatre of Scranton could not present the show publically. Instead they recorded their version for the first and only time.  It appears on local television leading up to and after Christmas Day.  To view the show online, please click the YouTube link below. For Canfield and Trescavage, it was their first year in the show--Canfield was a small angel and Trescavage was a lamb in the Land of Sweets.

By Liam MacBrien ('27) and Chase Marsala ('25)

Riverside Junior-Senior High School teacher Mr. Evan Prall, a former standout high school athlete at West Scranton, has built an impressive career both on and off the field. Before transitioning to the classroom, Mr. Prall was a star at East Stroudsburg University (ESU), where his athletic achievements earned him a place in the ESU Hall of Fame in 2017. During his time at ESU, Prall set multiple records, cementing his status as a legendary figure in the university's athletic history. 

Following his collegiate career, Mr. Prall went on to sign with the New York Jets as a member of their practice squad, furthering his connection to football. Today, however, he channels his passion for sports and fitness into teaching physical education and health to his students at Riverside. He focuses on teaching his students to make the right choices and be the best version of themselves.

In an exclusive interview, Liam MacBrien and Chase Marsala sat down with Mr. Prall to discuss his football career, a journey from the professional gridiron to becoming a teacher, and the lessons he hopes to pass on to future generations of Riverside students. Watch the full interview by clicking on the link below.