Children's choir 'has a ball' at 777-200LR Worldliner rollout
Most beach balls are found on the beach. But not all beach balls share the same destiny. Some get to participate in a history-making event, like the 1,000 beach balls that were tossed around the audience at the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner unveiling ceremony on Feb. 15 at the Boeing factory in Everett, Wash.
The plastic balls -- imprinted to look like globes of the Earth -- were tossed into the audience by more than 140 sixth, seventh and eighth-graders who performed during the event, many of whom are sons and daughters of Boeing employees at the site. The children performed on behalf of the Evergreen Middle School choir of Everett and the Snohomish Children's Choir of Snohomish, Wash.
The balls symbolized the "Going the Distance" theme of the newest member of the 777 family, the longest-range commercial airplane ever built.
The children's choir sang the song, "Everybody All Over The World," a song from Disney's 2004 release of the movie Around the World in 80 Days. During the performance, seven choir members participated in solos that consisted of lyrics in French, Spanish and Hindi.
"The kids are thrilled to be a part of this event," said Shelley Logan, choir director. "We're honored by this opportunity to serve our community."
For many of the children, it was the first time they had seen an airplane of this size close-up.
"It's the biggest airplane I've ever seen -- it's just amazing!" said Daegan Acevedo, seventh grader at Evergreen Middle School.
A member of both choirs, Talex Diede's favorite part of the day was singing the song because it included "something for everyone," as it encouraged everyone to join together in celebration.
The day at Boeing for choir members also included a tour of the factory, lunch in the Tunnel Theatre and a surprise visit from retired Seattle Mariners baseball player, Edgar Martinez, who spoke at the event.
Both choirs are accustomed to performing in the community, but it was a first for both groups to perform at an airplane rollout. Other community events the children have participated in include performances at nursing homes, the Everett Children's Museum, Winterfest at the Seattle Center, and the Festival of Trees that benefits Providence Hospital in Everett.
Logan said being part of a choir brings a "sense of belonging and discipline" into a young person's life, and performing through community service teaches them to be a "helping citizen."
"Music, such as singing or playing an instrument, is super important in a child's development," said Logan. According to Logan, singing involves applying disciplines such as logic, rhythm and theory that use both the left and right sides of the brain. This kind of brain development is also beneficial when learning subjects like mathematics and poetry, she said.
Boeing recently donated $1,000 to the Evergreen Middle School choir program.
Click here to view a video of the Children's Choir groups' day at Boeing.