Principal Eagan sings a variety of songs for RMHC - Scotia-Glenville Central School District

woman sitting next to ValleyCat mascot speaking with children sitting on the ground — Jessica Guido from the Tri-City ValleyCats

Glendaal Principal Tom Eagan offered a reading and fundraising challenge to all the students in his school – raise $2,000 for RMHC-CR and he’d sing karaoke. They accepted and won. The young readers surpassed their goal again this year, raising almost $3600 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region (RMHC-CR).

It’s the fourth year the school participated in the month-long community service reading program that helps support families struggling with childhood illnesses and injuries.

Local authors visited students to read to them and talked about their creative process. Rachel Vogel spent time with kindergarteners and read her book Nugget & Bandit’s First Winter. Ben Barrowman read his book, Parmesan Pig, to second grade students. Jessica Guido from the Tri-City ValleyCats read a lot of baseball themed picture books to second graders. And author and illustrator, Anthony Richichi brought his book Colorworld and engaged fourth graders in a coloring project.

Karaoke-singing Principal Eagan

Principal wearing a colorful shirt, sunglasses, and orange lion's mane singinging for students — Principal Eagan sings for charity

Glendaal’s Read for Ronald McDonald House Charity program concluded with Principal Eagan making good on his promise and sang karaoke songs selected by the students and staff who donated.

(Video at bottom of page and more pictures through this Facebook link.)

Kindergarten – “Jingle Bells”

First grade – “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King

Second grade – “Believer” by Imagine Dragons

Third grade – “Let It Go” from Frozen

Fourth grade – “Roar” by Katy Perry

Fifth grade – “Cool Summer” by Taylor Swift

Staff picks – “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, ”Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the Bangles, “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley, and YMCA by the Village People, and “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey.