The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

On a holiday decorated stage, Meadowlark Elementary School held its Christmas program this past Monday evening, December 18, in the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium. The south walls of the auditorium also featured a gallery of festive artwork created by elementary school students under the instruction of Ms. Shay Waldbillig.

After the sixth graders sang a welcome song for the gathered audience, students in grades K-2 presented "Holiday Parade," "In the Snow," "Mousie in the Snow," "The Penguin Polka," and "Hip Hop Reindeer." Dressed as winter children, mice, penguins, and reindeer, the group shoveled, sledded, squeaked, waddled, and hip-hopped their way through their songs.

Following that group of primary singers, the sixth-grade band took their concert seats to play "Good King Wenceslas," "Ode to Joy," and "Jingle Bells."

Once the instruments had quieted, the third, fourth, and fifth graders-dressed as Northern Cousins from Montana and Southern Cousins from Texas-took the stage. They spoke and sang about the differences in winter weather in America. The fourth graders played their recorders while the third and fifth graders sang their opening piece, "Jolly Olde Saint Nicholas." Three more songs ensued: "I Know About Snow," "Grandma's Chicken Soup," and "Winter in America." Their set closed with "Jingly," a song highlighting the fifth graders on ukuleles while the third and fourth graders sang along.

Music Instructor, Mrs. Danelle Gibson gave a "big SHOUT OUT" to the Meadowlark students for their performance by saying: "With music only once a week, the students worked extremely hard to pull off this program, which was a smashing success!"

According to Gibson, the students were challenged this year with only having music class once a week instead of two or three times a week. "I held the bar high, and students met every expectation set before them. They memorized all of their songs and lines. The crowd had fun and enjoyed the show with some members of the community stating that this was the best program they have seen in years," Gibson stated. "Pulling off the concert took the collaboration of many. Teachers and paras assisted students with learning their songs and lines in the classroom, as well as assisting during the concert ensuring smooth transitions onto and off of the stage."

Gibson also thanked Michelene Edwards, Music Instructor for Harlem School District, "for her pep talks and for sharing her wealth of music knowledge and expertise."

Although Gibson's appreciation extended to the Meadowlark Teaching Staff, the Maintenance Crew, and several other assistants who made the program possible, she recognized the parents for their support, "for listening to Christmas music for months" and for encouraging the beginning band students "though the squeaks and challenges of learning to play an instrument."

Beyond the stage decorations and the student performances, the audience appreciated the artwork on display in the rear of the auditorium. Using cotton balls, the Kindergarten students had decorated Santa hats, while first graders had painted both Christmas mice and penguins along with the second graders. Second graders had also painted reindeer.

Donna Miller Photo

Dressed as winter children, mice, penguins, and reindeer, students in grades K-2 shoveled, sledded, squeaked, waddled, and hip-hopped their way through their songs.

Additional seasonal themes showcased in the gallery included snowflakes by fourth graders, guitars by fifth graders, and Christmas tree harvesting scenes painted by third graders. Although some of the artists had chosen to paint their trucks blue, many featured the iconic red truck hauling a tree home.

The classic red truck has been a staple in Christmas decorations since American illustrator Peter Helck drew it for a promotion in December 1930. Helck, a car enthusiast and artist in the same league as Norman Rockwell, created an illustration for the Ford Motor Company showing a Model AA flatbed truck hauling Christmas trees.

Since that time, according to Carsforsale.com, the Christmas pickup has most commonly been featured as a 1935 Ford Model 50. However, sometimes it's a 1939 Chevrolet Half-Ton or a 1948 3100 Advance, and less commonly, it appears as a 1949 Dodge B1-C-116.

Several people also commented on the guitars that the fifth graders had cut from cardboard, painted with various themes, and then strung with yarn or butcher's string.

All-in-all, the evening represented an art showcase of young talent.