The holiday spirit was in full force when a group of Orcas Island Middle Schoolers joined the senior center’s luncheon last week.

Advisory teacher Meg Greene brought her 37 sixth graders to share a meal with dozens of island elders during the annual holiday festivities.

“They collectively loved it,” she said. “They enjoyed hearing stories from the seniors and that they shared similar interests with them. They are eager to go back for more. They loved how excited the seniors were to welcome them — plus all the sparkling earrings and Christmas sweaters.”

Greene has been leading a yearlong service project with her students, who opted to center it around connecting with senior citizens.

“They are a very big, boisterous class, and part of what we are doing this year is leading them through community service work,” she explained. “This is their first year of middle school, and we are encouraging them to work as a team because they are with each other for the next six years.”

Greene believes that some of the most important, memorable learning happens outside the classroom. Her curriculum initially focused on the Orcas Island Community Foundation and featured community speakers.

“I wanted to have them experience making a difference and introduce them to the robust nonprofit world of Orcas. They all benefit from the nonprofits whether they know it or not,” she said.

After a lengthy debate and multiple class meetings, the students voted to put their energy into the senior center. Their first event was the holiday luncheon on Dec. 16, where some of the kids’ grandparents were in attendance.

‘The students spent the last month working on letter writing skills and handwrote cards for every senior,” Greene said. “They wrote a total of 140 that were given out to every senior at the lunch and every Meals on Wheels recipient.”

After the middle schoolers passed out their holiday cards, worked the room and shared stories, they sang “Happy Birthday” to a lucky recipient, accompanied by Ron Meyers on the piano. They then transitioned into an unplanned, impromptu rendition of Jingle Bells.

The students have also been practicing their public speaking skills, so they each took a turn on the mic to share what they enjoy about winter on Orcas. Their answers included when the lake freezes over, the lights in Eastsound, sledding at the golf course and cold plunging.

The class plans to participate in more senior center events — next up is the Valentine’s Day luncheon.

“The students are really looking forward to building more relationships with the seniors,” Greene said.