Maemae Elementary School - Oahu, HI
December 10, 2009In entering the holiday season, Maemae school encouraged the Christmas spirit by organizing their annual Holiday Christmas DVD project. With festive reindeer hats, green and red aloha shirts, and plenty of holiday cheer, the 1st-6th graders of Maemae elementary school perform various songs, dances and skits for a DVD to present to their parents.
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Maemae elementary teacher Cody, who is also a good friend of Jake’s, arranges this project each year and invites volunteer guest entertainers to assist in the music portion of the DVD. Cody is also a musician and continues to host this project because he understands how important music is in children’s education and wants to share this joy of music with the parents. Jake was included among the talented guest musicians who included a guitarist, drummer, bassist, and ground bassist. Jake had a blast collaborating with the other artists, playing and singing along with the students and watching them perform their skits and dances.
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Some grades sang Christmas songs, some performed Christmas skits and some even danced hula. After the students and musicians recorded the DVD, Jake played some of his own songs and also gave the students some advice to think about over the holiday season. He told them to find a passion and follow it and to stay away from drugs. There were many talented students performing that day so maybe their passion is music, acting, or dancing, but no matter what they love doing, as long as they continue to pursue it, that is what is important.
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This project took place after Jake came back from performing for the Queen of England with Bette Midler. He shared with everyone his experience and how he still couldn’t believe it happened! The Maemae staff and parents were so appreciative and expressed how proud they were of him for being a great ambassador and representative our island of Hawaii. Mahalo to Cody for your hard work, organization and allowing MIGM to be a part of this cheerful Holiday project!