Lakeside Junior High choir performs for nursing home residents

Feb. 23--SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP -- The Lakeside Junior High choir performed for the residents of Saybrook Landing and Jefferson Healthcare on Valentine's Day and made greeting cards to distribute to the residents.

Lakeside Junior High and High School Choir Director, Ashley Nelling, contacted the event coordinators from each facility and arranged for the Valentine's Day performance. More than 50 LJHS students participate in choir.

"This experience has shown my students how to be better performers and how grateful people are to hear them," she said. "The most endearing thing about this performance was watching the students react to the audience's emotions. Many happy tears were shed by both students and residents."

The performance included the "Circle of Life" from the Lion King, and "Light," written by Sally K. Albrecht, and more.

"The residents really enjoyed many of the songs, their favorites being "You are the reason" and "Seize the day," Nelling said. "I also wanted to include a little bit of Black History month, which is why the students sang the tune "Harriet Tubman."

Flashlight choreography was added to the tune "Lights" which brought many smiles to the residents' faces, she said.

"The residents were very complimentary of the performance," Nelling said. "This is the reason why I wanted my students to perform, especially in front of the residents of these two nursing homes. I knew they would get a positive reaction."

Lakeside Junior High Principal Scott Anservitz said the experience enhances the students' appreciation of others.

"They need to understand that the world is bigger than Lakeside," he said. "This allows us to give back to the community since the community gives us so much."

Superintendent Mark Potts said, "I'm delighted that these students were able to go out into the community and share their talents and joy with others. We have wonderful students at all grade levels and I am always happy to show them off to the community."

Nelling thanked the nursing home residents and administrators, adding she can't wait to perform for them again.

"Many students told tell me about residents that reminded them of their own family members," she said. "One student said choir is now part of her life because her grandmother would sing a lot with her and this is something she would never forget. As a choir director, these concerts make it all worthwhile."

___

(c)2020 the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio)

Visit the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio) at www.starbeacon.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.