Arbor Park Intermediate School continued the annual sing-along on the last day of school before semester break, which was last Friday, but with a few new wrinkles. Due to COVID-19, the event was held outside and in smaller, socially-distanced groups.
At the last minute, vocal music director Kay Dickinson added the World War II classic, "I'll be home for Christmas" to the fifth grade song list. Dickinson told the students what the song was about, and as they all began singing, fifth-grader Bianca Moreno suddenly turned in surprise to see her brother, U.S. Navy Seaman Colin Priestino come up behind her. With tears in her eyes, Bianca ran to embrace her brother.
Colin's mother, Erika Moreno, and his sister, Isabella Moreno, were also with Priestino. Earlier in the afternoon, Colin had also surprised Isabella who is in seventh grade at Otte Middle School.
Priestino enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and is a 2019 Blair High School graduate. For the last five months, Colin has been in advanced technical training in Chicago. After a nine-day leave he will continue his training in New Jersey before moving on to his assignment on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford in Virginia.
Erika said her daughters had no idea their brother would be home for Christmas. She said Friday morning Bianca asked Erika why she was dropping her off at school so early. Erika told Bianca she was going into Omaha to get Bianca's Christmas present.
Later in the evening, Colin also was planning to surprise his wife Rainin who works in Omaha at Amazon. Erika said Colin and Rainin have been married for about four weeks.
