Fort Myers Beach Elementary Students Perform the National Anthem for the Florida Everblades
Written by: Alex McBride
Students from Fort Myers Beach Elementary School performed the National Anthem in front of a crowd of nearly 8,000 people at a Florida Everblades hockey game on Saturday, Feb. 25. Fort Myers Beach sold 105 tickets through their fundraiser link, raising $530 that will be donated to the school to help with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.
“I love seeing them perform,” said Amanda Ortega, Fort Myers Beach Elementary’s music teacher. “It makes me so proud of them and I think it makes them feel good when the audience cheers and they know that they did a good job.”
The performance was part of the Everblades Spirit Nights/Fundraiser events that occur throughout the season, in which any school can participate. In addition to having the opportunity to perform and attend a game, students also get a school visit from Swampee, the Everblades mascot.
The student performers from Fort Myers Beach consisted of fourth and fifth-graders, including fifth-graders Ella Alfaro-Maldonado, Grettel Barragan, and Dylan Field.
“It wasn't nerve-racking, because I had these people and that person,” said Grettel, gesturing to her classmates and her music teacher. “So yeah, it was fun.”
While Ella has performed for the Everblades in the past, this was Dylan and Grettel’s first time.
“It was just like ‘Okay, I’m doing this. There’s no turning back. We are doing this,” said Grettel.
Ms. Ortega and the eight students that performed donned shirts that read “#WeAreFMB Resilient” in support of Fort Myers Beach and their school, both of which were severely damaged by Hurricane Ian. While there is no projected date for the school’s reopening, the students and staff are continuing classes at San Carlos Park Elementary while the repairs continue.
Fort Myers Beach Elementary is planning to host another musical performance on May 16 on Fort Myers Beach. The exact location to be determined at a later date. The community is encouraged to attend in support of the school and its students.
“Everybody's invited,” said Ms. Ortega. “I’m hoping to have more members of the community come out to show support from the beach school. The more the merrier.”