Dobbins second-graders perform retro Christmas show


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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Second-grader Gabriella Calderon hit all the high notes during her solo in "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Country singer Sarah Turner stopped in to see the Christmas show and sang "Rudolph" after teacher Chris Roussos insisted she join the second graders. Turner sang as second-graders, from left, Norah Bush, Gabriella Calderon, and Lilly Galla looked on.

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .During "The Chipmunk Song," Alvin famously says he wants is a hula hoop. Second-graders Katie Jacobson (left) and Brooke Chandler showed off their hula skills during the song.

By SARAH FOOR

sfoor@vindy.com

As a Christmas gift to herself, Dobbins second-grade teacher Chris Roussos finally did the Christmas program with her students that she always wanted.

“I wanted to teach the kids about the holiday music from my generation. In other years, fellow teachers handled a program or it was the responsibility of the music teacher, but this year, I really took the chance to do my own thing,” Roussos said.

The Dec. 16 production of “A ‘50’s Christmas” featured baby boomer holiday tunes made new again by the second-grade students. The kids were dressed in classic 1950s style, including leather jackets and white T-shirts, poodle skirts and neck scarves.

Many students had a chance to shine during the production.

Roussos featured the singing of students Luna Johnston, Alaina Francis and Joey Ibris in “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” because they were currently missing theirs. Gabriella Calderon sang a solo during “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

The dance moves of the second-graders were displayed during “The Chipmunk Song,” where four students spun with their hula hoops, and during “Jingle Bell Rock,” when boy and girl duos showed off some swing dancing.

Country singer Sarah Turner, who had visited Dobbins earlier that week on Dec. 13, stopped into the event and sang “Rudolph” with the second-graders, adding a fun finale to the event.

“I always loved these songs and I’m glad I had the chance to teach my students how fun they are, too,” Roussos said at the close of the performance.