ORCHARD PARK, NY- Young students at South Davis Elementary in Orchard Park worked together to make a lip dub music video in honor of Rachel's Challenge, and that is why they are "WNY's Great Kids."
Getting an entire school of 5 to 11-year-olds to make a whole music video in just one take is no small feat, but they pulled it off.
The fifth grade students took the lead and practiced for weeks in small groups.
"We really let them work individually and pick their friendship groups to create their choreography for their section of the video. So they felt like they had ownership of it and it was really their project and not ours," said South Davis vocal music teacher Emma Glasgow.
Their hard work and teamwork took their teachers by surprise.
"Kids were encouraging others to join in. 'You can be in our group and you won't be alone and we'll practice the moves and make everybody feel comfortable,' they said. That was wonderful," said Christina Tundo, 5th grade special education teacher.
On the day of the music video shoot, the fifth graders executed their parts perfectly, and the more than 200 younger students stood and cheered in the hallways, making the entire video in just one take.
"The whole community of the school came together for that one moment and it's kind of an unforgettable moment. And the best thing about it is since it's a video online, everytime they watch it they get to relive those feelings," said art teacher, and the music video videographer, Adam Kreutinger.
The South Davis Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee inspired them to make the video as a way to honor "Rachel's Challenge," a national character education program that carries a simple message to start a chain reaction of kindness.
"It was just a lot of fun and we were spreading so much love and it was just very nice," said fifth grade student Sophia Bizup.
The kids had fun, but more importantly, they learned a life lesson:
"You can always spread kindness," said fifth grader Joey Campion.
Click here to watch the entire "Give Love" lip dub music video.
To have your own "Great Kid" featured by Melissa Holmes on Channel 2 News Daybreak, email details to Melissa.Holmes@wgrz.com or call 716-849-2216.