Salisbury Academy students honored grand-loved ones with a magical performance during the school’s annual Grandpersons’ Day event.

“For one special day each fall, the population of our school more than doubles as we welcome our guests and provide them with opportunities to experience classroom activities that engage them in the curriculum at Salisbury Academy,” said Head of School Beverly Fowler. “This special tradition gives students a chance to bond with their guests and show off their learning and hard work.”

The academy’s campus was filled with special guests, who enjoyed a musical program complete with the music of Disney, led by music teacher Dr. Rob Robertson.

Guest speaker the Rev. Rod Kerr, minister of education for First Baptist Church in Salisbury, shared with the audience his top 10 suggestions for grandparenting. Providing some humorous and some serious advice, he shared suggestions such as know when to “seal thy lips,” “be a good sport,” “remember that elephants and children never forget,” and “love thy grandchildren as thine own, but never forget they are not thine own.”

Kerr left the audience with this last piece of advice: “Remember that two of the finest experiences of life are being a grandchild and being a grandparent.”

Following Kerr’s address, students sang Disney classics, and the entire audience, guests included, ended the show by joining in to sing a medley of Disney songs and ended the special day with students, staff, and guests singing “We Are the World.”

“Grandpersons’ Day is the favorite school event for our family,” said Teresa Rowell, parent who planned the event this year. “Since our first Grandpersons’ Day in 2012, we’ve been lucky enough to have our extended family travel to Salisbury each year.”

Rowell added that her daughter Julia, a sixth-grade student at Salisbury Academy, enjoys showing her school and introducing her teachers to her visiting grand people.

“Since the focus is not solely on the students’ grandparents, but also on special guests, I love the marvelous mix of visitors we meet each year,” Rowell said.