Prineville, Ore. – Holiday cheer echoed across downtown Prineville Wednesday morning as a third-grade class from Steins Pillar Elementary School filled the steps of the Historic Crook County Courthouse with Christmas carols, performing in front of family members, members of the public, and local city and county leaders.
The performance took place on Wednesday, Dec. 17th, with students braving chilly morning temperatures under clear skies to sing several well-known Christmas songs. Parents and spectators gathered outside the courthouse to watch, while county and city officials looked on from the crowd.
The annual caroling visit is organized by third-grade teacher Heather Mattioda, who has helped turn the event into a yearly tradition focused on community outreach and local history.
After the outdoor performance, students were welcomed inside the courthouse for hot cocoa and cookies, warming up and celebrating the conclusion of their holiday tour.
Mattioda said the courthouse performance was the culmination of a broader effort by the school to connect students with the community.
“Steins Pillar is an outreach school in our community,” Mattioda said. “We like to go out into the community. We perform at retirement facilities and memory care facilities here in town, just to show how much we appreciate the support of our community and to reach out to the elderly in our town.”
She added that performing at the historic courthouse also gives students a hands-on connection to local history. “The third graders get to experience performing at such a wonderful location as our courthouse—our historical building that was part of Crook County from the very first days,” Mattioda said. “It’s neat to pull our kids into this facility and this location and help them understand how important it has been to our community.”
Crook County Commissioner Susan Hermreck, who helped spread the word about the event in the days leading up to it, said the performance perfectly captured the spirit of the season.
“We were very lucky. We weren’t warm, but we did have a sunny sky,” Hermreck said. “The skies parted for us, and they came and they sang carols, and I think that they illuminate the Christmas spirit. In Crook County, I think we’re very special, and I was just so thrilled to be able to host them here at the courthouse.”
Hermreck also used the occasion to extend holiday wishes to the community and invited residents to stay engaged with county leadership. “Everyone have a very happy holiday and a happy new year,” she said. “And also, the commissioners are now on the third floor of the historic courthouse, so if any of the public would like to come see us, I invite them to come up and visit us. We’re very lucky to be here.”
With smiling faces, holiday songs, and warm treats to finish the morning, the event once again brought together students, families, and local leaders—continuing a festive tradition that has become a cherished part of the local holiday season.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject matter expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
