Oak Harbor High School hosts Christmas party for senior citizens

Melissa Baker
·2 min read
Oak Harbor High School students serve drinks and food to senior citizens during the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District's annual holiday luncheon and concert held Wednesday.
Oak Harbor High School students serve drinks and food to senior citizens during the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District's annual holiday luncheon and concert held Wednesday.

OAK HARBOR - The annual Benton-Carrol-Salem Senior Citizen luncheon, held Wednesday at Oak Harbor High School, is a holiday event that honors senior residents with a concert and lunch. About 170 senior citizens attended.

“We give back to our community, these people are the rock of our community, they’re so supportive," OHHS Principal Cheryl Schell said. "They send such great kids and give them to us so we truly appreciate them, and we want to give them an opportunity to come and gather in the school they support."

For 20 years the high school’s choir and orchestra have filled the auditorium with Christmas songs and holiday cheer. The school provided lunch in the cafeteria which included turkey, mashed potatoes and carrots, topped off with pie for dessert.

One resident, Sandy Genzman, said, “The music — the music just moves you — and the food is good.”

Oak Harbor High School students serve drinks and food to senior citizens during the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District's annual holiday luncheon and concert held Wednesday.
Oak Harbor High School students serve drinks and food to senior citizens during the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District's annual holiday luncheon and concert held Wednesday.

Another district resident, Burt Widma, agreed, “They always put on a good show every year, and the meals are always good.”

The snowmen placemats used on the tables were designed by the elementary students to create a festive atmosphere for each senior and added a youthful touch.

“We are honored to host our senior citizens here at Oak Harbor High School, who have done so much to contribute to the success of our school district. This is truly one of our favorite days of the year," said District Superintendent Guy Parmigian.

Many students participate in the event. Middle school students served drinks, and high school students brought the seniors citizens their food.

Oak Harbor High School students perform during the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District's annual holiday luncheon and concert for senior citizens, held Wednesday at Oak Harbor High School.
Oak Harbor High School students perform during the Benton-Carroll-Salem School District's annual holiday luncheon and concert for senior citizens, held Wednesday at Oak Harbor High School.

“It’s a beautiful program and it’s so nice that the school does this for the senior citizens. I just think it’s an honor that our school system thinks about people,” said resident Shirley Widman, who attended the breakfast and concert.

Any senior over the age of 60 was invited to attend and the cost for the meal was $2. This year the meals were funded for by the district's transportation department.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Oak Harbor HS hosts Christmas luncheon, concert for senior citizens