NY Mets Welcome Hauppauge Students For National Anthem Performance: 'Magical Experience'

FLUSHING, NY — Hauppauge elementary school students got to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a New York Mets game at Citi Field on Saturday, the school district announced.

Third, fourth and fifth grade students from Pines Elementary School began rehearsals for the event in February, meeting five times outside of school hours to practice. Practices were led by led by music teacher Theresa Wray-Dolgin, and students were required to attend all the rehearsals in order to perform.

This has become an annual event with the first group of Pines Elementary students singing at Citi Field in March 2018. Pines Elementary School PTA event coordinator Janine D’Elia organizes the event each year.

"We were filled with great anticipation, and the day met all of our expectations and more!" Wray-Dolgin said in a news release. "It was a magical experience. Our thanks go out to Mrs. Janine D'Elia who makes this all possible, and I thank her most sincerely for giving me the opportunity to be their musical director for this joyous occasion."

Following the students’ dazzling rendition of the national anthem, retired Pines Elementary art teacher Elisabeth Anziano was asked to throw the honorary first pitch of the game as a celebratory gesture toward her many years of dedication to her students.