Upon entering the Stoughton Central School on Dec. 11 for the annual Christmas concert, the noisy and excited children could be heard.
To gain entrance to the concert, people were asked to bring a non-perishable food item, and patrons filled the baskets with goods.
The gymnasium was packed with children, parents, grandparents and friends in anticipation of the program for the Christmas concert.
Shayda King and Sydney Hemphill welcomed everyone to the show and introduced each class as they performed. In between they told a few jokes. Their first introduction was the youngest group, and the co-MCs said these kids were the cutest.
Maria Beuhler led her kindergarten and Grade 1 class in the singing of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. These little ones knew the words well and had actions to go with the lyrics.
Next up was the Grade 2 and 3 class with Corey McKee. They too, sang loud and had actions with their songs, The Most Wonderful Time of Year and We will Jingle.
Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree were performed by the Grades 4 and 5, with Trina Schell leading the way.
Grades 6 and 7 sang You are a Mean One, Mr. Cugnet and Carol of the Bells. Nathan Cugnet was responsible for this group.
Cugnet also led the Grade 8 and 9s. They started with Silent Night, and this was done in soft, subtle voices, and then they sang All I Want for Christmas is You and this is when they came alive.
King and Hemphill took part with the last class, but they did have to say that the Grade 10s were scared to come and perform.
A special ending to the program had Isabelle Hogg, Jaina Sangster, Eliza Whitson and Sarah Simpson each playing a Christmas solo on the piano.
The MCs thanked Rowena Clements and friends for doing all the decorating, and Derek Mercer and his friends for rolling out the floor and setting up the chairs. They jokingly said his job was to clean up the chairs as well.
Scott Kirkness for looking after the technical issues and McKee for finding the songs to be performed.
They thanked all the students and staff for their hard work to put on the concert and the family and friends that took time to come out and enjoy the concert.