Project America explains meaning of U.S. holidays Actor Michael Brennan describes the meaning of a national holiday to students at the St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold Borough, during a presentation of "Project America." FREEHOLD - Sometimes the best way to learn something is to see it. Students at St. Rose of Lima School, Lincoln Place, were able to "view" Amer-ican holidays through a program called Project America. Actors from Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven, appeared in the school's Walter R. Earle Memorial Auditorium on April 18 to learn the lessons of American holidays by watching representations of each holiday appear before them on stage, according to Mary Donnelly, publicity coordinator for the school. "The program was presented for our fourth- to eighth-graders who waited in anticipation for the original compilation of story-telling, monologues and music to explain the significance of the national holidays dotting our country's calendar," Donnelly explained. "We hope to teach the kids about patriotism and let them realize it is cool to be supportive of their country," Project America actor Mike Brennan said. St. Rose of Lima School fourth-grader Simone Monaco listens to a cast of professional actors describe the meaning of America's national holidays. Brennan played the teacher in the production. "We also hope to touch the kids by bringing a moral lesson to them," said actor Brian Peeke, who played a student. "If what we do facilitates a conversation with parents or teachers, we've been successful." According to Donnelly, memorable moments in the production included a timeline of the American labor movement and the meaning behind Labor Day, and a musical reflection on the principle of racial equality and nonviolent social change observed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Also included in the performance, according to Donnelly, was "a moving account of our nation's war heroes and heroines that we remember on Veterans Day and Memorial Day." Other holidays depicted were Flag Day, Presidents Day and Independence Day. "Seeing" holidays on stage gave the students new facts and reflections on the special days that are so important to Americans, Donnelly said. "When the actors explained about Labor Day, it really made me think about what Labor Day really means," said seventh-grader Alexa Basso, 13. "I know I will thank a veteran on Veterans Day and be sure to buy a poppy. I never knew that was to remember the fallen veterans in World War I," said fourth-grader John Puchalski, 9. "Listening to Martin Luther King Jr. reciting his 'I Have a Dream Speech' really made me understand the power of his message," said seventh-grader Drew Ballester, 13. The actors in the Project America program love what they are doing and wanted to pass on some of that passion to the students. "We want to bring a love of theater and a love of our country as part of our message," said stage manager Jason Wooden. "And if the kids learn something about both, that's a bonus."