Stevie's Lenten Sacrifice: Giving Up 'Hamilton' for Easter Joy
Every Monday, a first-grade teacher in Salt Lake City, Galen McCallum, assigns her students to write about their weekend activities. One student, 7-year-old Stevie Ryan, shared her unique Weekend News update where she gave up listening to "Hamilton" songs for Lent. Her parents, Dr. John Ryan and Jeanna Tachiki Ryan, found it amusing and shared it with their colleague, Dr. Martha Gulati, who posted it on Instagram. The post caught the attention of "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who left a heartwarming comment on Stevie's paper.
When Stevie learned about Lenten sacrifices in her Communion class, she struggled to decide what to give up. After considering various options, she settled on sacrificing her love for listening to the original Broadway cast recording of "Hamilton." Stevie, who shares a birthday with Alexander Hamilton, had been a devoted fan of the musical, even dressing up as the founding father for Halloween.
Stevie's dedication to her Lenten promise is evident as she ensures her parents skip "Hamilton" songs during their car rides. Her father, John, anticipates that Stevie will resume listening to the cast recording as soon as Lent ends. Despite her commitment, he jokes that she will likely have the music playing on Easter Sunday morning before anyone else is awake.
Stevie's story of giving up "Hamilton" for Lent has captured the hearts of many, showcasing her love for the musical and her determination to honor her sacrifice. As Easter approaches, Stevie's family eagerly awaits the moment when she can once again enjoy the music she loves.