Friday, students from the cheer squad, the Bonnie Lassies and the Student Government Association were at Golden Hours Senior Recreation Center for the school’s annual Christmas singalong program. According to a press release from Ogden School District, the tradition has been ongoing since 2016.

Ben Lomond cheerleading coach Shara Gooda told the Standard-Examiner that the event started out utilizing just the school’s cheerleaders but grew to include the Student Government Association, the Bonnie Lassies and any other club that wanted to participate.

“It was really started just to give some Christmas cheer and to give back to the community,” she said. “It was really important for our students to remember that there’s more about Christmas than just gifts — it’s the gift of giving and the gift of service and the gift of community. From that, it’s just blossomed into something that we look forward to doing every year.”

Previously, the singalongs were held in multiple locations, but this year was just at Golden Hours, with residents of Fellowship Manor and Three Link Tower.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

Gooda said that it’s a pretty straightforward event.

“The students get together and the Lassies will do their traditional Scottish Fling, the cheerleaders do their traditional Christmas dance for the seniors and then, as a group collectively, we sing our little hearts out and sing some Christmas carols for the seniors that are there,” she said.

Student Government Advisor Emily Child told the Standard-Examiner it’s about more than just standing around and singing.

“I see the students do a really good job about getting the seniors involved,” she said. “They ask them to dance with them. They just put a smile on their face. They have cookies and hot chocolate afterwards together and mingle with them and talk with them. There’s a lot of joy for the students, us as advisors and the seniors.”

Ben Lomond cheer captain Sarah Spinelli said events like this are especially meaningful this time of year.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“I think, especially around Christmas time, it’s really important we do things like this for people who don’t necessarily always get to be with their families,” she said. “Because Ben Lomond is so big in the community, we need to give back to the community and do things to get people to be closer, especially around the holidays.”

Ty Stuart, with Ben Lomond student government, said it also provides a lesson for the students involved.

“It teaches us and everybody going to sacrifice to serve others,” he said. “This year, it is a day off from school that we would’ve had originally. But instead, we’re sacrificing our time to serve others, so I think we get to learn how to serve other people and do good things.”

Gooda said she feels it’s also a very impactful event.

“It shows our young people of today the power of change and how their voice can have such a huge impact on someone’s life, making them feel special and like the most important person in the world for that moment who may not otherwise feel that way,” she said. “It’s really important they understand that just because you are students or are considered a child, you do have a huge impact.”

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

Said Ben Lomond cheer captain Marley Pitcher:

“They definitely felt more joy from us all being there. At the beginning, everyone was just kind of settling in and at the end, we were all dancing, singing and having a great time.”

Vivian White, president of Ben Lomond’s Bonnie Lassies, said another moment really stood out to her from last year — and it was one that drove home the program’s purpose.

“There was an old guy sitting in an armchair and he was pretty grumpy and he didn’t want to sing, didn’t want to dance,” she said. “After getting up to him and singing straight to him and dancing with him, he finally was able to smile and enjoy it a little bit more.”

Child said she’s hopeful the tradition makes it into its 10th year and beyond.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“I hope we can keep doing it for many years to come because I think it’s a great tradition,” she said.