Gratitude and participation were in abundance at this year’s Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon that was held inside the Sherman School cafeteria on Wednesday.

Over 60 Sherman seniors were invited to attend this wonderful SPTO-sponsored event, which has become a beautiful community tradition – now 30 years strong.

Several parents and middle school students served hot appetizers, a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and dessert classics to their guests of honor.

On the menu was the main course, turkey, which was donated by American Pie Company and the Sherman IGA. Over 30 parents also brought-in homemade side dishes like yams, green bean casseroles, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cookies.

What made this luncheon extra special was the massive student participation at all grade levels to welcome and entertain the seniors.

The musical lineup began with the second-grade class singing festive Thanksgiving songs, and two students also sang a beautiful rendition of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

Fifth-grade saxophone players – Nicholas N., Itai H., and Noah P. – played All My Loving by the Beatles.

The eighth-grade Flute Quintet – Micayla T., Karina G., Grace M., Ava V. and Remington H. – captivated their audience with a beautiful version of Amazing Grace.

American Celebration was also performed by Alexa B., Nichole S., Josh K., Hans P., Annabelle M., Doug C. and Kathryn S.

Fourth-grade poets – Mackenzie B., Jake D., Sally H., Eliana O., and Nate S.  – read their touching thankfulness and grandparent poems aloud to the seniors.

Behind the scenes, many teachers and staff members also did an incredible job with setup and coordinated many of the grades to participate in thankfulness projects for the seniors.

Kindergarten and first-grade art students created colorful woven placemats, and third-grade students made thankful thoughts booklets for seniors to keep as mementos.

Scouts – Isabel O. and Nadia O. – also helped Sherman Cubmaster of Pack 84, Barbara Richardson, with making delicious party favors for seniors to take home, along with extras for those homebound.

We would like to thank all of the seniors for attending this luncheon – and without all of our volunteers – this long-standing community tradition would not be possible.

An extra special thanks goes out to the following adult and student volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help out this year:

Shannon Alt, Suzette Berger, Ashleigh Blake, Beth Bouwman, Amy Bocompani, Christopher Carlone, Kathleen Clancy, Linda Christie, Robin Devine, Beth Esposito, Maryanne Febbraio, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Kerry Foy, Jen Freed, Molly Garcia, Amy Greene, Kathrine Gubner, Remy Hafer, Louise and Mark Hofsdal, Bernadette Linero, Joe Lombardozzi, Grace McKinnon, Kerry McDevitt, Annabelle McLean, Kerry Merkel, Jeff Melendez, Michele Murray, Aileen Murphy, Amanda O’Neill, Kate Ordinas-Lewis, Shannon Oricchio, Donna Papp, Kelly Parker, Wendy Quinby, Amanda Quinn, Mr. Renato, Ms. Rosa, Jennifer Ruffler, Andy Schoefer, Lt. Andrew Shirk, Keri Snowden, Bernadette Schopfer, Nicole Schutz, Susan Seeger, Amy Smith, Maryanne Tarby, Micayla Tarby, Steve Trinchillo, Betty Vail, Arica Vancil, Ava Viola, Amanda Williamson, Jessica Yagid, Nicole Zegley, Olivia Zeitler

With heartfelt thanks,

Joanna Ribisl and Alicia Sakal, Sherman School PTO Senior Luncheon Co-Chairs

Photos: Alicia Sakal

Also published in local editions of The Sherman Sentinel and Town Tribune.