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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Second-grade students at Hilltop Elementary School wore Santa hats as they presented Holidays Around the World on Dec. 18.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Hilltop Elementary School second-grade students, under the direction of Hilltop Music Director Stephanie Summers, performed the school’s annual Holidays Around the World Program on Dec. 18.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Second-grade students donned sombreros during the singing of “The Pinata Song” at Hilltop Elementary School’s annual Holidays Around the World program.
By ABBY SLANKER
Second-grade students at Hilltop Elementary School took their audience of family, friends and fellow Hilltoppers on a tour around the world during the school’s annual Holidays Around the World program on Dec. 18.
The students performed the show three times throughout the day.
The students, under the direction of Hilltop Music Director Stephanie Summers, performed the holiday program which included songs representing several countries. Musical arrangements were by Paul and Teresa Jennings.
“Good morning everyone. I’d like to welcome parents, grandparents and special guests to our second-graders’ Holidays Around the World program. I’d like to thank the second graders for working so hard on preparing this program for you. Thank you to Ms. Summers and our second-grade teachers for all their hard work, too. Please enjoy our second-grade Holidays Around the World Program,” said Joe Maroni, Hilltop Elementary School principal as he welcomed the crowd.
The students entered the multi-purpose room with a processional of “Joy to the World.” Everyone then stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Throughout the program, students performed the songs “Festivals of Light,” arranged by Lauren Mayer; “O Christmas Tree” of Germany, sixteenth century Welsh melody “Deck the Halls,” “The Pinata Song” of Mexico, “Up on the Housetop/Jolly Old St. Nicholas” of the United States, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” arranged by J. Fred Coots, of the United States, “O Hanukkah,” of Israel and Jewish Nation and “Auld Lang Syne,” arranged by Mary Donnelly and George Strid.
The students ended their performance with “Holidays All Around the World,” arranged by John and Ann Marie Farrell. Summers joined the students in singing their finale.
Each song represented its country of origin and in between numbers, students read the holiday traditions of the countries highlighted. For example, before singing “O Christmas Tree,” a student noted Germany was the first country to have the Christmas tree and before singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” a student noted that it is a Christmas Eve tradition that children wait for the arrival of Santa Claus.
A student also noted, before the performance of “The Pinata Song” that children of Mexico celebrate by playing a game with the prizes being candy and toys and before singing “O Hanukkah,” a student explained that Hanukkah is an eight-night celebration which includes traditional foods and small gifts.