For the students who bellowed out note after note, it was a chance to sing, smile and laugh.

For the senior citizens who listened intently to the melodies of their favorite holiday songs, it was music to their ears.

The common denominator for both factions was that the 43rd Annual Senior Citizen Holiday Program was a joyous occasion for all.

Over 150 senior members of the Northern Lehigh community attended the fun-natured event Tuesday at Slatington Elementary School.

School Principal Todd Breiner said the event was organized by Sarah Fink, a fourth-grade teacher at the school.

The program included entertainment from the Slatington Elementary School students and staff, cookie treats, ornament gifts, student designed place mats, and a free holiday meal and dessert served by the Slatington Elementary School Student Council.

Students sang choral arrangements by all of the students in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades under the direction of general music teacher, and instrumental band director, Steven Jonkman.

There was also instrumental music by the Slatington Elementary School Band.

The Bulldog Beats Concert Band performed “Hot Cross Buns,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Santa The Barbarian” by Randall D. Standridge, and “Jingling and Jollying” by Jonkman; fourth graders sang “Jingle Bells” and “Hurry, Santa!” by Teresa Jennings; fifth grade sang “We Wish You A merry Christmas” and “Snow Fort” by Tom and Lynn Crowell; third grade sang “If I Were A Reindeer” by Teresa & Paul Jennings, and “Up On The Housetop”; while sixth graders sang “Deck The Halls,” and “Reindeer Parade” by Teresa Jennings.

Senior citizen David Kunkle, of Palmerton, said he was there to see his granddaughter, who is in fourth grade.

“It’s great,” Kunkle said. “That’s the best thing I can say.”

Breiner said that students in all grades assisted in the creation of gifts and placements for guests under the guidance of Slatington Elementary School art teacher Brittany Warner.

He said that Fink, along with Karen Beltz, Slatington Elementary School Administrative Assistant, organized the meal, invitations, and all of the communication that went out to the community and families for cookie donations.

Breiner said the meal was prepared by the Northern Lehigh School District Food Services department.

After she served senior citizen June Desanto of Slatington her meal, sixth-grader Adalyn Knecht said she enjoyed doing so.

“It’s fun,” said Adalyn. “And I like it.”

Fellow sixth-grader Anna Karetsky said it made her feel good to see senior citizens enjoy themselves.

“It’s awesome,” said Anna. “It’s good to see their smiles.”

Breiner said special thanks also goes to Sarah Fink, Karen Beltz, Steven Jonkman, Brittany Warner, and Dylan Hofmann for organizing and running the event, and that thanks should also be given to Nichole Fink and Chris Mann and their staff for assisting with food, set up, and clean up.

He added that special thanks also goes to Krise Transportation, the Northern Lehigh School District contracted transportation company, for donating the buses and drivers donating their time to transport senior citizens to the Slatington Elementary School for the event.

Breiner also gave a special thank you to all the parents, teachers, administrators, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and volunteers for making the day successful.