Fourth-graders go caroling at Golden Living Center

Residents packed into the lunch hall of Maryville’s Golden Living Center to hear something festive Wednesday morning – Eugene Field Elementary School fourth graders singing Christmas carols.

Students sang a collection of carols, including “Frosty the Snowman,” Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The program, sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization, took months of planning, Eugene Field music teacher Erika Lipiec said.

“We came up with the idea at the beginning of the school year,” she said. “It’s been the last month we’ve really hit it hard.”

Second graders sang at Village Care Center, third graders at Parkdale Manor Care Center, and students in the after school program sang at Nodaway Nursing Home.

Margie Dilley, PTO president, said the caroling was a way to serve the people of Maryville.

“We’re just trying to do a little bit more to give back to the community,” she said.

About 350 Maryville school children participated in the event. One of them was fourth grader Lily Mast.

“I liked it because all the older people were smiling and stuff,” Mast said. “They were feeling Christmas joy.”

Sarah Clement, business office coordinator of Golden Living Center, said an event like this provides residents with something they don’t usually get a chance to experience.

“Our residents don’t have many opportunities to go out to the Christmas programs to see their grandchildren,” she said. “So to have this opportunity, we’re so very grateful.”

Golden Living Center resident Dale Farrens said he enjoyed the event.

“Oh, yeah, they did very good,” he said. “I didn’t know we had that many fourth graders.”

Lipiec said the children enjoyed the event as well.

“It was just so fun to see them visiting a bit with the residents and sharing their smiles,” she said. “As a teacher, I know that we are very, very fortunate to be in such a supportive community. It felt so great to get out and share our talents and good cheer.”

Fourth grade sisters Jules and Lexi White sang at Golden Living Center.

“I think they did enjoy it,” Jules White said. “The guy that was in front of me talked to us a little bit. He said, ‘Merry Christmas.’”

Lexi White summed it up in three words.

“It was fun.”

PTO plans to put on the event again next year.