WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Video from last week shows a choir of Williamsport Area High School students performing at the White House. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the seniors.
"We didn't get to see the president, but it didn't even matter. We got to see so many people walking around, and you could tell they loved hearing us," said senior Alanna Ramos.
"It was really cool to be able to go there, and it was an honor. Honestly, I don't know if I'd ever go if it wasn't for this," said senior Kyah Street.
Senior Kyah Street says he and other students found out they were going to Washington D.C., after receiving a text from their choir director.
"It was just so crazy. I told my dad that it doesn't matter who is president, it is just an honor to be in a building like that. I couldn't imagine what it would be like. You got to think about how much history is there," Street said.
The students performed several songs in the East Room for people visiting the White House.
"We would sing some of our Christmas songs and non-Christmas songs. The women's group sang Java Jive which is a jazzy song about coffee and tea, and then Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree was everyone's favorite," Ramos recalled.
Choir Director Samuel Robinson says the choir performed at the White House in 2018. He was excited to take another set of students.
"It was an honor to be invited and to perform in the East Room. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to represent our community," Robinson said.
"I saw portraits of past presidents like George Washington, all these first ladies, and Abraham Lincoln. It was just crazy that I stood in that building, and the fact that I was in that building is something I will remember forever," Ramos said.
The choir director hopes his students will be invited back next year.