French Students from Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission North Sing Carols on the Plaza

SME and SMN Caroling
Shawnee Mission School District

Students from Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission North French Clubs and Honor societies joined voices in singing French holiday carols on the Country Club Plaza.

The activity helped students practice language skills they have been learning in school this year.

“Singing helps with pronunciation and gives students a greater appreciation of how language cannot be translated word-for-word, especially in music and poetry,” Audrey Lauber, French teacher at SM North, said. “The lyrics must change to reflect desired rhymes and rhythms.”

Their repertoire included a popular French Christmas Carol, “Vive le Vent” (Long Live the Wind) sung to the tune of “Jingle Bells.” They also sang French versions of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Oh Christmas Tree.”

“The students really enjoyed meeting each other and taking a break from finals week,” Laure Losey, SM East French teacher said.  

Students and teachers from the combined French  plan to share their language skills throughout the community in the future with the combined French clubs and Honor societies.