The magic of St. Patrick’s Day was in the air at New Hope Academy’s annual celebration, held on Friday, March 17 in Yardley. Clad in different shades of green and surrounded by festive decor, the students and staff from both campuses gathered together to enjoy the talents of a magician, an NHA St. Patrick’s Day tradition.

This year, attendees were entertained by the comedy magic of Tom Durnin. Durnin, who has appeared on the hit TV show “America’s Got Talent,” delighted the crowd with ventriloquism, one-eyed juggling, and card tricks.

Durnin’s act called for a good deal of audience participation, much to the excitement of the students. Hands eagerly shot up in the air when he asked for volunteers; he even got some teachers to help him! In between his bits, Durnin delivered motivational messages and words of encouragement. Throughout the day, the Prom Committee sold delicious baked treats and raffled off jars of candy, asking participants to guess the amount.

Students wearing green were treated to $1, courtesy of NHA president Kathy Rosso-Gana. After enjoying a pizza lunch, students were treated to Coffee House, an NHA tradition that encourages the two campuses to socialize. Some students played video games, some played cards, and some gathered in the Music Room, where there was a special jam session that featured a student on the bagpipes. The latest edition of NHA’s student-produced newspaper, The REAL Deal, was distributed. It was truly a day of luck, magic, and fun!