Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Western Michigan community is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its beloved singing Christmas tree.
Mona Shores sings Christmas treewhich includes the 180-student high school choir and is 15 rows tall, performed 19 holiday tunes at the Muskegon Theater this week and was scheduled to perform two more shows Saturday. The 67-foot (20-meter-tall) tree is adorned with 25,000 LED lights and lots of greenery.
“The Singing Christmas Tree is 100% a spectacle,” said Shawn Lawton, who directed the Mona Shores High School choir and oversaw the annual show for three decades.
The tall tree-like structure has a hierarchy, with freshmen at the bottom, sophomores and juniors in the middle, and seniors above them.
The very top, just below the star, is usually reserved for the “tree angel”, a student chosen by Lawton who is “not your best singer” but has “all the heart”.
This year’s selection is senior Makenzie Aney, who uses a wheelchair and performs at the base of a tree, near the front of the stage.
“It makes me really happy, excited and joyful,” Aney said of being chosen as this year’s Tree Angel.
Aney and her fellow singers are not alone as they run through “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Noel” and other holiday favorites. Mona Shores High’s 50-piece student orchestra surrounds the tree, and a small army of parents and other volunteers make sure everything runs smoothly, both on the ground and in the tree.
The singing Christmas tree has been a must-see for the residents of the area for many years. But it is increasingly attracting fans from other states and even countries, with videos of past performances available online.
“It’s become a bucket list item for a lot of people,” said Lawton, who is marking his final holiday season in charge of the performance.
The 58-year-old is retiring at the end of the school year. His successor is Brendan Closz, a Mona Shores graduate who sang in the wood, like his three brothers, and is co-directing the choir this year to ease the transition.
“Being a part of (the show) was such a reward,” Lawton said. “And I will really miss that.”