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Young voices from Polk County filled Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the second consecutive year as elementary school choruses joined forces to perform at a Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey game.

Students from Polk Central Elementary and Sunny View Elementary choruses sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Friday, March 14, before the puck dropped in the Swamp Rabbits’ 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Mavericks.

The performance marked a step up from last year when the combined choruses sang “God Bless America” during the first intermission of a 2024 game.

“It was a wonderful experience, with our chorus students really shining on the big stage,” said Lacey Cochran, music teacher and chorus director for both schools. “They represented Polk County well!”

The combined chorus features students in grades 3-5 who rehearse weekly after school and perform at various school and community events throughout the year.

Polk Central chorus member Gracie Shelton described the experience as “amazing” and “the most fun thing” she had ever done. Charlie Smith, a two-year veteran of the Sunny View Chorus, expressed hope that “this is a new tradition for chorus!”

Following their performance, the students enjoyed cheering for the Swamp Rabbits, who easily defeated the Mavericks. The Swamp Rabbits, part of the East Coast Hockey League, are an affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Knights and are the reigning 2024 ECHL South Division Champions.