Salisbury Academy carolers visit Trinity Oaks
Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 7, 2017
- Salisbury Academy third-grader Brooks Zino greets and shakes hands with Trinity Oaks residents after a recent student caroling performance at the independent living apartments. Submitted photo
Salisbury Academy
SALISBURY — As Salisbury Academy’s third-grade Christmas carolers began to sing at a recent visit to the apartments at Trinity Oaks, the holiday memories rushed back in all of their joy and glory for Trinity Oaks resident Marjorie Haworth.
“Oh Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” are all songs that Haworth directed her choral students in singing over the course of her career teaching elementary music in Shelby.
“It was just wonderful,” said Haworth of the third-graders’ performance. “It reminded me of those times when I was teaching and how busy this time of year was in the chorus.”
Trinity Oaks resident Carol Rabon also was moved.
“The children were so sweet,” said Rabon, a retired teacher of grades second through fourth. “It took me back through the years.”
The holiday visit from Salisbury Academy students is an annual tradition. Students performed for and then sang along with the residents of Trinity Oaks. After shaking hands and mingling with residents, students caroled through the halls of the apartment building.
“I love to watch how the kids and residents interact together,” said Deana Burris, director of life enrichment for Trinity Oaks. “This is such a meaningful time for them all.”
After the caroling, residents hummed and tapped their feet as they left off to enjoy the rest of the day. Haworth’s holiday memories shifted to visiting her grandson at his school Christmas shows. Haworth’s grandson, Carson Hatchett, attended Salisbury Academy from junior kindergarten through eighth grade, and her son-in-law, Parker Hatchett, was one of the school’s founders.
“My grandson is all grown up now — 26 years old and in the Army – but I’ll never forget those visits to Salisbury Academy,” said Haworth.
The third-grade students introduced themselves to Haworth and stopped for some photos before filing back onto the bus.
Coming up this week, lower school students and music director Rob Robertson will visit Brookdale Senior Living and Oak Park Retirement to share more holiday cheer through song.
