Every big event needs a great emcee, and Whittemore Elementary School fifth-grader Jing Qi Yang certainly played the role perfectly as she introduced acts during the school's annual Flag Day celebration on Friday.
"Now comes the moment you've all been waiting for," Yang said in an ebullient voice, introducing the kindergartners who ended Friday's event with a couple of musical numbers - all while wearing Uncle Sam hats.
Students in kindergarten through fifth-grade put on a dazzling display of patriotism, both through music and spoken word, during their annual tribute to Old Glory.
Among those attending the morning performance were local military veterans, several city councilors and the mayor.
Yang was a big hit with the crowd, as were all of the students who took part in the celebration.
"They did a great job, as they do every year," said Al Arena, who is a veteran as well as director of the Waltham Museum.
Students performed rousing renditions of patriotic favorites including "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "God Bless America," "This is My Country" - even the Neil Diamond crowd pleaser "America."
"Unbelievable," Mayor Jeannette McCarthy said, praising the students' performances. "They didn't have easy songs and the vocals were unbelievable."
Some students also showed their musical skills with their instruments - strings, woodwinds and percussions - while others students read the crowd essays detailing the history of the American flag.
"You proudly show us what the flag means," McCarthy told the students and faculty.
Air Force and Army veteran Carl Mula, 89, who served in World War II, was also on hand for the event.
For him, Whittemore is familiar ground. He attended kindergarten there almost 84 years ago.
"Wonderful," Mula said of the performance.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
