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Pied Piper students showcase their talents at annual Christmas program

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The students, and some staff, of Pied Piper School in Alpena perform for friends and family at its annual Christmas program on Wednesday. The show brought smiles to the faces of the kids, and people in the audience.

ALPENA — The holiday lights weren’t the only thing shining bright during the annual Pied Piper School Christmas program on Wednesday.

The students’ smiles, laughs, and enthusiasm, along with the audience’s applause, outshined the twinkling of the colorful lights that set the mood on the stage.

The students worked for weeks learning their songs, and dance moves to be able to show them off to their friends and family, past and current administrators of the board and the hard work resulted in many hoots and hollers from the audience.

Principal Larry Johns said the students love Christmas, not because they are excited to receive gifts, but because it gives them an opportunity for them to share their talents with the community and be celebrated. He said the claps and whistles from the crowd mean a lot to the kids and it lets them know they are supported.

“The Christmas program is a tradition that is decades old and is a unique opportunity for students to be showcased in a way that highlights their unique individuality,” Johns said. “Students at other schools have opportunities to be celebrated with sporting events, choir concerts, band concerts, and drama presentations, so for our students, the Christmas program is a way for them to be celebrated.”

During the performances, the students were often decked out in costumes of Santa or of characters from the Nativity scene. Most had a chance to show off their dance skills and vocal talents. They did this while smiling endlessly, and sneaking in an occasional wave to people they recognize in the crowd.

Johns said the bond between those in the audience and the students performing, is something that is beneficial for the kids, and is something the kids crave more than any Christmas gift.

“Christmastime for our students is not about gifts. It’s not about what they are going to get from Santa,” he said. “It’s about affiliation and our students understand their worth because of the program and how it is presented. My desire is to create other opportunities besides the Christmas program. Maybe something like a talent show.”

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