Holiday celebrations highlight Tuesday evening

Maricopa Elementary and Santa Cruz Elementary Schools held concerts and activities Tuesday to celebrate the holiday season before winter break.

At Santa Cruz Elementary’s Starry, Starry Night celebration, fourth and fifth grade students, led by music teacher Mary Goldner, performed songs for a packed auditorium. Wearing Santa hats, students sang a wide variety of Christmas songs, including “Cancion de la Navidad,” “Hip Hop Reindeer” and “African Noel.” As a finale, the students performed the “Santa Cruz School Song,” written by Goldner.

On the other side of town, during their second annual Winter Express, Maricopa Elementary students and their families wandered through the school where every grade had either a craft or activity for students to participate in.

Some grades charged small fees for goodies such as popcorn and hot chocolate in order to raise money for the school. Also available to students was a cakewalk, the video game ‘Dance, Dance, Revolution,’ movies and crafts. Students could make candy cane reindeer, flowers and cards to take home for families and friends.

“This was definitely a success,” said Amanda Reid, a MES third grade teacher.

Photos by Katie Winkley