Fredonia Elementary Students Share Holiday Spirit Through Christmas Caroling

By Lumen Cristy Ihong

Preschool through second grade students of Fredonia Elementary School brought holiday cheer to the Fredonia community during a Christmas caroling event held on December 11, 2025, at 6:00 in the evening. Led by their teachers, Mrs. Jeanne Crookston and Mrs. Lumen Ihong, students proudly shared the joy of the season by singing Christmas songs for local residents.

The young carolers practiced and prepared two beloved holiday favorites, Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Despite the cold winter evening, students bundled up in coats and scarves and were joined by supportive families as they rode on a flatbed trailer owned and driven by Jesse Johnson. The trailer was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and festive decorations, creating a perfect and cheerful setting for the caroling experience.

The group traveled throughout the neighborhood, making several stops along the way. Their route included the Ridings residence, followed by the Johnsons, the Pratts, the Fire House, the Sants, the Barons, the Reidheads, and concluding at the Grover and Mudrow homes. At each stop, community members warmly welcomed the students and expressed appreciation for the heartfelt performances.

The Christmas caroling tradition began last December and was warmly embraced by teachers and families. Due to the positive response and joy it brings to both students and the community, the tradition continued this year and is expected to carry on in the coming years.

Mrs. Ihong, who is originally from the Philippines, shared that caroling is an important part of how Filipinos celebrate Christmas. As a cultural exchange teacher, one of the goals of the program is to share traditions from her home country and provide students with meaningful cultural experiences.

The excitement of the evening was captured by Oakley, a preschool student, who joyfully exclaimed upon returning to school, “This is so much fun!” The event concluded with students and families gathering back at the school to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies together.

Fredonia Elementary School extends its sincere gratitude to the students and families, Jesse Johnson and family for providing the beautifully decorated flatbed trailer, and the dedicated teachers who made this festive and heartwarming event a success for the Fredonia community.