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The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and the Children’s Performing Arts Series will present “Kids For President” in two performances Friday, Dec. 4, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Just in time for the 2016 presidential election year, “Kids for President” is comprised of several short plays and songs adapted from children’s writings, capturing their curiosity and excitement about the election process.

The production by Child’s Play Touring Theatre combines whimsy and political thought, backed up by live music, colorful costumes and backdrops based on children’s artwork, according to Diane Peterson, SFA Fine Arts Box Office manager and director of the children’s series.

“This show runs the gamut from silly to serious, with suggestions for improving the world and kids’ own ideas on what it’s like to be the president,” Peterson said.

One of the major issues discussed is education and the improvements that are needed in the current system.

“‘Kids For President’ is about students who are given the chance to assume the nation’s highest office and make a difference in our country,” Peterson said. “However, they quickly learn that there are a lot of issues facing the world that are a big and challenging part of being ‘in charge.'”

A study guide is available online for teachers to prepare students to see the show and to discuss it afterward.

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more.

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at www.cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Jacks Council on Family Relations is serving more than 100 families through its annual Thanksgiving Homebound project.

During the past few weeks, the group asked community and SFA members, organizations and departments to donate Thanksgiving meals to families in its adopted organizations, which includes Solid Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, GETCAP Head Start, and The Family Crisis Center of East Texas. Jacks Council on Family Relations faculty adviser Dr. Jennifer Newquist explained how students collect and distribute the food.

“Students and faculty advisers send out interest letters to organizations on campus, academic departments and individuals asking them to adopt a family,” Newquist said. “Once the organization has adopted a family it is given a grocery list. The organization then takes this list and purchases everything needed for a Thanksgiving meal, including a $25 gift card to purchase perishable items such as a turkey.”

In 2011, the group started Thanksgiving Homebound as a way to help disadvantaged children in the area for the holidays. In the beginning, the group fed nine families, but since then, this number has grown to more than 100 families.

“Students realized there were several ways they could help families at Christmas but few ways to help during the Thanksgiving holiday,” Newquist said. “Students developed the project to make sure children get a great Thanksgiving, too.”

Jacks Council on Family Relations works to build networks and help families within the community by learning from each other and professionals within related fields. Currently there are 20 members.

Jacks Council on Family Relations Vice President Kelsey Ticer said this project taught her about teamwork, and she is grateful for the community’s support.

“It’s great to give back to a community that gives so much to the college students,” Ticer said. “This project taught me a lot about giving to those who don’t have as much as we do.”

A room in the Education Annex on the SFA campus became the hub for Jacks Council on Family Relations members, as they organized food items into containers for delivery. Donated food included: stuffing, yams, rolls, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, cookies, and more. People also were encouraged to give family activities such as board games, cards and coloring books for the families to enjoy.

Jacks Council on Family Relations Secretary and Treasurer Lindsey Stanley said this experience showed her how college students can come together and provide food for families who might not get a Thanksgiving meal.

Stephen F. Austin State University voice students will present eight staged and semi-costumed opera scenes in a performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

“Fall Opera Scenes” will feature upper level and graduate students enrolled in the opera class taught by Dr. Gene Moon, director of orchestras and musical director of opera, and Dr. Deborah Dalton, associate professor of voice and opera at SFA.

“This is the largest fall opera workshop class I have ever taught,” said Dalton. “There are 27 in the class. My goal is to cast each student in a scene that is appropriate to their voice type and stage of vocal development.”

The program features scenes from Giuseppe Verdi’s “Falstaff” and “La traviata,” Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” and “Die Zauberflöte” and Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief.” The program will also feature two scenes from “The Mikado” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

Graduate conducting students Jeff Leung and Nathan Hamilton will conduct the scenes, and Moon and Robert Killingsworth will provide piano accompaniment.

The recital is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.