Danville-Neel 4th graders go all out for grandparents

Mallory Garrett presents a goody bag to her grandmother, Ann Sparks, at the conclusion of a Grandparents Day Program at Danville-Neel Elementary School. | Clif Knight

Grandparents Day for Jane Knight’s fourth graders at Danville-Neel Elementary School is all about mimicking the actions of their grandparents, entertaining them with songs, dances and skits and treating them to handmade goody bags and refreshments.

“The kids talk about their grandparents all the time,” said Knight. “They really get involved in planning the program, practicing, and making their own goody bags. We’ve been working on this about three weeks. They just want to show their grandparents how much they love and appreciate them.

“I drove up here from west of Birmingham for Grandparents Day,” said Jakeb Motley’s grandmother, Pat Drummond. “I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see my grandson and his classmates putting on their program.”

‘I’ve looked forward to this all week,” said Ann Sparks, the grandmother of Mallory Garrett. “We’re so proud of her.”

Melissa Pike, Emma Strockbine, Madalyn Holladsay, Jasper Eddy, Cooper McCay and Brinten Evans opened the show with their rendition of “Jailhouse Rock.”

Following them were Steven Parker, Jakeb Motley, Caleb Howard, Devin Cook and Jordan Simpson acting out an “Old Men” fishing trip.

“California Girls” featured the dancing of Mallory Garrett, MacKenzie Kirkpatrick, Payton Payne and Destiny Crane.

The show concluded with Kendall Rogers, Erin Lemley and Evan Prater doing their rendition of “Surfin’ U.S.A.”

Each skit received hearty laughs and generous applause from the audience.

Students distributed goody bags to their grandparents following the program and everyone enjoyed refreshments.