A presentation by students from Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 was a holiday gift to those attending the Dec. 19, 2013, Parkland School Board meeting.

Executive Director of CLIU 21 Dr. Elaine Eib introduced three young women who attend a class in Jim Thorpe.

"These students are absolutely thrilled to be here," Eib said.

They were accompanied by Assistant Director of programs and services for CLIU 21 Tee Decker and Lisa Lux, their teacher.

The young people introduced a video, which their class prepared and submitted to a contest run by the television program, "Good Morning, America."

Using the Katy Perry song, "Roar," the students acted out their own interpretation of the song in the video, which celebrates the strength and courage to overcome difficulties in one's path.

The students then presented a video of the play, "Romeo and Juliet," which their class enacted.

As the music of the film "Romeo and Juliet" played, the students waltzed, interacted and portrayed the events of the Shakespearean drama in the video.

School board member Robert Bold, who is president of the CLIU 21 board, thanked the students and their teacher.

"Seeing the young people and their accomplishments brings notice to the work and mission of the CLIU which serves children with special needs," Bold said. "Although board members spend a great deal of time on budgets and buildings, seeing the actual school programs' influence on students brings special programs' meaning to the work of the institution."