As they prepped for their winter break, Liberty students took part in a wide variety of the annual holiday traditions at school. These traditions, which have grounded the Liberty community for many years, are not only exciting, but also bring friends and family together again.

Every year, Liberty’s orchestra and chorus groups hold their holiday concert for the community. The tradition, dating back decades, is a joyful event that many students, faculty and alumni attend.

Julia Zheng, a senior and an orchestra violinist, explains what the concert means to her: “Between the Silent Night processional and Hallelujah chorus – which have been part of the program ever since the first show – and more contemporary pieces by Pentatonix or the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the holiday concert represents, to me, a mix of the traditional and the new.”

While meaningful to the individual members of the chorus and orchestra, they also feel fortunate to be able to extend their musical talents to everyone in the audience. The wide variety of music genres makes this concert a community favorite.

Even Liberty alumni come back to enjoy the music and festivities. Recent Liberty graduate and former member of the orchestra and choir Sarafina Schultheis talked about what it was like to sit in the audience for the first time: “I loved watching as an alum; this was my first time not performing in a holiday concert for almost 12 years, so it was so nice to be able to relax and enjoy the wonderful music.”

One of the special opportunities of sharing the holiday music is being able to extend our traditions to the community as well. Every year, student government students invite senior citizens from Lutheran Manor to our school. Student volunteers mingle and interact with the guests as they are treated to a shortened holiday performance and a catered lunch. Student government adviser Jeanne Bednarik said, “It shows our community what our students are really like. It is a wonderful way to showcase our talents and promote community relationships.”

This year, Liberty held its fourth annual Menorah lighting at school. Rabbi Singer from Brith-Sholom Bethlehem came to host this celebration of rededication by sharing the story of Hanukkah and lighting the Menorah. Organized by Liberty special education teacher Kimberly Zionts-Bernstein, the ceremony provided the opportunity to celebrate a holiday that meant a lot to her and other students in the Jewish community.

“Seeing everyone come together and participate in learning experiences was so wonderful,” Zionts-Bernstein said. “It’s nice for the students to feel like they a part of something they previously may have felt secluded from.” In a season full of peace and happiness, it is important that all students feel represented and get to celebrate their own holidays.

On a recent weekend, student government members set up luminaries in front of the school and donated presents to less fortunate families through the St. Luke’s Community Health and Path program. Students set up the glowing candles which beautifully lit up the front of the school.

“It shows that Liberty is not just a school that operates on Monday [through] Friday, but also the weekends as well,” Bednarik said. Donating gifts not only helps families who need a hand up, but also speaks to the character development of our students.

Traditions, both decades old and recently new, have proven to make the season more enjoyable and a perfect way to end the year. Most importantly, it has brought our community closer together. In this joyful season, it is important to the Liberty community that we spread holiday spirit and music, remember families less fortunate, and celebrate and represent all holidays.