In the wake of a major winter storm that blanketed Southern Maryland in snow, families bundled up and gathered indoors on Jan. 29 for the Second Annual Snow Ball at Christian Beginnings Preschool, a Catholic, state-accredited preschool located on the campus of St. John Vianney Parish in Prince Frederick, Maryland.
The event transformed the preschool into a winter-themed celebration space, complete with age-appropriate games, snacks and live music. Children danced, laughed and moved freely between activities, while parents mingled and watched their preschoolers enjoy a night designed just for them.
Christian Beginnings Preschool is a Christ-centered, Archdiocese of Washington approved program fully accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education, with a Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating of 5, the state’s highest designation. The school serves 3- and 4-year-olds during the academic year and emphasizes learning through play, hands-on exploration and faith formation.
Karen VanDuzer, director of Christian Beginnings Preschool, said events like the Snow Ball reflect the heart of the school’s mission. VanDuzer has served as director since 2018 and was one of the preschool’s original teachers when it opened in 1996.
“What I love most about early childhood education is that no one has given up on these kids yet,” VanDuzer said. “They can do anything. And to be able to do this work in a faith-based program, where children are learning to see God in their world and in one another, is really special.”
Father John Benson, the pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, helped provide live music for the evening, joined by singer Amelia Osterfeld, a freshman at Huntingtown High School in Calvert County. Osterfeld, whose mother, Jenn Tabor Osterfeld, is pastor of Huntingtown United Methodist Church, said she enjoys volunteering with young children and especially loves opportunities to sing and entertain them. Jim Van Duzer played the guitar during the event.
“This is the kind of event that benefits the whole community,” Father Benson said. “It brings people together to support the preschool, to have a good time, and to remember that the preschool has always been a ministry meant to help young families and show them kindness and love.”
Meghan Lungerich, lead teacher for the 4-year-old classes, has taught at Christian Beginnings for six years and was part of the team that guided the school through its accreditation process and expansion.
“Families feel at home here,” Lungerich said. “They feel welcomed, and they trust that their children are being cared for and challenged in developmentally appropriate ways.”
Parents echoed that sentiment throughout the evening. Emily Vara, whose daughter Abigail previously attended Christian Beginnings and whose son Joseph is currently enrolled in the 3-year-old class, said the school’s integration of faith and play-based learning has been invaluable for her family.
“So much faith is built into every piece of their learning,” Vara said. “They’re not sitting at desks all day. They’re learning through play, through nature, and it’s developmentally appropriate. But just as important, it’s helped us build community. These aren’t just classmates, they become family friends.”
Katie Meinhardt said she has seen noticeable growth in her son Mason, a student in the 4-year-old class, since he began attending the preschool.
“He’s really come out of his shell,” Meinhardt said. “I love picking him up and hearing him talk about his best friends.”
Megan DiIorio, who teaches the Explorers class at Christian Beginnings Preschool, attended the event with her daughter Molly, a Kindergartner, and former student in the preschool. The Explorers program emphasizes outdoor learning, allowing students to explore and learn within the natural environment through play-based, developmentally appropriate activities.
As children twirled to music and parents snapped photos of tiny dancers in winter attire, the Snow Ball underscored what Christian Beginnings Preschool aims to provide year-round: a joyful, faith-filled environment where young children and their families feel supported, connected and at home.
