Mona Shores student surprises with role of angel in Christmas concert

NORTON SHORES, Mich. – Forget fall break; Mona Shores High School choir members have been singing Christmas carols since the “third day of school” in preparation for America’s Tallest Singing Christmas Tree, their annual concert.

“We know it’s the holiday when we see it,” said Shawn Lawton, co-director of choirs, describing the 70-foot-tall Christmas tree with 25,000 lights and five “floors” of festive students at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon.

Traditionally, one choir member is chosen as an angel at the top of the tree. This year’s special singer is Kenzie Aney, who was surprised with the role last week.

“It made me happy,” Aney said.

High school student surprised with role in Christmas choir concert

Aney, who uses a wheelchair, was selected because “she has an incredibly positive attitude and always has a smile.”

“Even though this person faces challenges, they go at it every day,” Lawton said in a video of the angel’s announcement.

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Due to the weight of Aney’s wheelchair, she is highlighted at the base of the tree, rather than lifted to the top. As a fourth-year choir member, she knows her soprano role.

“The girl is a light,” Lawton said, recalling an earlier performance of “Car Wash” in which Aney and the choir used towels as props. “We put her right in the middle and she had so much energy and so much joy.”

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Come Christmas time, Aney will take center stage again and represent ‘Sailor Pride’.

“Personal responsibility, respect, integrity, discipline and commitment,” Lawton said. “She is the epitome of that.”

Tickets for America’s Tallest Singing Christmas Tree went on sale Friday and are available here.

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