MONTAGUE — In an effort to spread holiday cheer, a group of 25 students from Turners Falls High School volunteered to sing at two local nursing homes this week.
For about 30 minutes each at Buckley HealthCare Center on Laurel Street and Charlene Manor Extended Care on Colrain Road, students sang holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “Deck the Halls” and “Winter Wonderland.”
Senior Jack Putala said he hatched the plan about two weeks ago — and with the support of the administration in the school — was able to get a bus and take students on the field trip. Math teacher Donna Fowler volunteered to be a field trip advisor for the students.
“I wanted to do it to bring students together with their community, get some community service time, and it’s just a nice thing to do around the holidays,” Putala said. “Singing really brightened their day. It was pretty exciting to sing.”
He said there were originally 73 students interested in singing, but there were two mandatory practices, ultimately leading to the group that went.
Administrative Assistant Sandra Bailey said there used to be a tradition among the National Honor Society students to spend a day caroling at local senior centers, but it stopped a few years ago.
“I went the last year that they did it,” Bailey said. “It’s one of the most fun events students can do. It helps the seniors feel important and involved. It’s something out of the ordinary for the kids and the seniors.”
Putala’s peers said they were happy to be a part of the trip.
Sophomore Ryan Duclos said he thought it was fun because of how much the audience enjoyed the performance.
“I decided to be part of it for the joy of the community ,” Duclos said. “Some people sang along with us, others were dancing.”
Another sophomore, Jade Tyler, said she thought it was fun to perform at the senior centers, even though she doesn’t believe she’s a good singer.
“It was cool to be part of the community and sing to people,” Tyler said.
High school senior Don Carme said he thought it was a great experience to sing.
“We got to spread some cheer, and it’s really great to do for the community,” Carme said. “I hope it becomes a tradition, because people really appreciate it. People were applauding, it was a really good feeling.”
Each of the students said they wanted the event to continue next year.
“I’ve already had a couple students say they were going to carry on the event in the future so it becomes a tradition,” Putala said. “It’ll be great to keep it going.”