BOSTON – At 6:56 p.m. Wednesday, 10 Harrison Elementary School students lined up side-by-side in front of home plate at Fenway Park and prepared to open the 113th game of the Red Sox season by signing the national anthem.
Some were nervous. Nine-year-old Lindsey Mishoe admitted she was a bit intimidated “being out in front of, like, more than 35,000 people.”
Tim Smith, also 9, was mostly excited. Along with Lindsey and the rest of the members of Rockin’ Hands Across Harrison, he had signed at two Sea Dogs games in Portland.
The only difference between the two stadiums, he guessed, was that “in Boston they have a bigger stadium, and um, I think that’s it.”
He had earlier helped teacher Corrine Pratt fill a small Ziploc baggie with red dirt from the ball field while other students got their baseballs signed by a ball girl. Such mementos are likely to become important.
Since starting sign language lessons in first grade in order to communicate with deaf classmate Chelsea Warner, the group has performed for friends, parents, and finally the Sea Dogs. About half the students who began signing with Pratt and interpreter Joanne Ridlon have stuck with Rockin’ Hands Across Harrison, even while moving on from Pratt’s classroom.
“And it just started out with a girl that can’t hear and their teacher, Corrine Pratt, wanted them to be able to communicate” said Scott Edwards, father of signing student Ethan Edwards, before the show.
He was ecstatic to be at the game with his son and his classmates, as were many parents. “They’re shootin’ for the Patriots next,” he said with a huge grin.
Jeff Murphy yelled after his daughter as she made her way along the stands, “Miranda, if you get a chance, get someone to sign your shirt, OK?”
Kathleen Beauchesne yelled after her son, Matthew, too. “Push your hair over!” He immediately obeyed, bringing his palm to his forehead. “You look nice,” she said.
Few of the students seemed aware that former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, were passing across the field, although they posed for a picture with the former first lady when prompted.
The sky was blue and the Green Monster provided some respite from the sun as the minutes ticked by. And finally it was time to go. The students took their places, standing at attention before Pratt and Ridlon as singer Ann Harris took the microphone.
“I hope the kids remember it, you know?” Ridlon said just moments before. It seemed unlikely they would forget as the anthem approached its crescendo. Twenty small, white-gloved fists simultaneously thrust into the air as Harris sang, “… and the home of the brave.” And the crowd went wild.
“They were awesome, weren’t they?” Pratt asked afterward, relieved to have carried off the performance. “I’m glad it’s over.”
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