The three weeks when students are back from Thanksgiving break might drag on, but there are a few holiday events to fill up the time.
Starting off the holiday festivities, the 85th annual tree lighting on the front lawn has been re-scheduled for Dec. 4 (weather permitting) at 6 p.m., hosted by Student Council. The choir, Big Red Band and Red Wing Drill Team are scheduled to perform. The Diversity Student Union will be reading a holiday children’s book in both English and Spanish, and Key Club will provide refreshments and snacks.
“We decided that we want to switch in between English and Spanish, so we’re going to have two of our Hispanic girls read a page in Spanish and we’re going to translate it into English and I’m really excited for that,” DSU president Sadie Day said.
The band’s Christmas concert is to follow at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, where the marching band, concert band, jazz band and percussion ensemble will perform.
“I really like the holiday season, and I like playing holiday songs to celebrate the season and it’s a good time for us and the parents,” said sophomore Gavin Simonton, who plays the trumpet.
The annual Christmas parades will be Saturday, Dec. 6 with the Vienna parade starting at 11 a.m. along Grand Central Ave. The Parkersburg parade will start at 2 p.m. and go down Market Street. The band, Red Wings and other student clubs will be in both parades.
“I am really excited for the Christmas parade,” sophomore Red Wing Maddie Lowers said. “I love seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces. It seems to bring the community together no matter how old or young.”
On Monday, Dec. 15 in the auditorium the choir will present their Christmas concert where they will perform holiday songs and their annual processional.
“l am most excited to participate in our tradition of processing into our formation at the beginning of the concert, singing ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel,’” junior choir member Riley Ball said. “When we sing the first notes of the song, all of the hard work we’ve put in and the efforts we’ve made finally come together and the entire choir can feel the importance of what we’re about to do.”
The in-school concert for the student body will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 second through fourth periods, with the choir and jazz band performing.
“I really enjoy getting people excited about the upcoming concert, and rehearsing the songs is very fulfilling,” sophomore choir member Zach Gaston said. “Seeing and hearing everyone’s reactions afterward is my favorite part of the student body’s concert.”
Break starts Dec. 19 for students and doesn’t end until Monday, Jan. 5 so be excited, find a way to pass the time and enjoy the two weeks off. Happy holidays, Big Reds.
