The play, which was held in school auditorium, is a long-standing tradition, according to Michelle Rogers, first-grade teacher.

She said a lot of students who are in high school now remember participating in the play.

Rogers helped prepare students for their roles for about two weeks leading up to the show.

Students were given books detailing how the Pilgrims came to America and their interactions with The Wampanoag people.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen St. Edmond Elementary School first-grade teacher Michelle Rogers, at left, helps Laila Hickey, 6, get her Pilgrim bonnet tied on right Tuesday afternoon before the start of the annual ABC Thanksgiving program.

The Wampanoag people were a Native American tribe that helped the Pilgrims for Thanksgiving, according to Rogers.

“We teach them about the history of Thanksgiving,” Rogers said. “The Pilgrims, the Wampanoag. Being thankful. Every class made little turkeys and listed things they were thankful for. We try to bring in the faith element as well.”

For the play, students were paired together and given a letter.

Beforehand, Rogers rounded up the students in her class.

Three first-grade classes participated in the play.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen St. Edmond Elementary School first-graders Mady Licht, left, along with Owen Heesch, present the D segment of the ABC Thanksgiving program Tuesday afternoon. The two talked about the Pilgrims’ “Dangerous journey.”

Rogers had some directions for her students.

“Ok now let’s tuck our shirts in,” Rogers said to the students. “We want to look our best.”

She also wanted the students to be organized.

“Remember what order you are in,” she said.

As students put their Pilgrim and Wampanoag paper hats on and got ready to go, Rogers was pleased.

“You guys are doing awesome,” she said.

Before hitting the stage, Rogers had one more request.

“Voices off,” she said. “Ok, here we go.”

The students marched from Rogers classroom to the auditorium, where about 350 people awaited them.

The crowd was made up of parents, grandparents, teachers and other students who came to enjoy the show.

The students hopped up on stage in pairs to present their letters.

Jade Rock, 6, had the letter V.

V stood for Visit.

Her line was “The Pilgrims invited the Indians to visit them for their special celebration.”

Rock said she enjoyed the chance to tell the audience about Thanksgiving.

Lucas Zawacki, 6, had the letter S.

His line was ‘The Pilgrims wanted to share all that they had with their friends, the Native Americans.”

After presenting their letters, students sat together in front of the stage.

The colorful paper letters were used to form the feathers that surrounded the turkey on stage.

Once all the students presented their letters they came together to sing songs.

Dooian Doncher, 6, and Laila Hickey, 6, both said their favorite part was singing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”

The show ended with students singing “It was fun zipping here and zipping there with their new friends. Everyone agreed, let’s do this every year.

“Happy Thanksgiving.”