Special to the Herald

It was a cold November night, but the sky was alight with warm lights and sounds of laughter as the students from Cranston High School West who represented the Student Leadership, Band and Falconette/Westernette groups boarded busses and headed up to Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

The students were to participate in the Goodnight Lights program along with members of local police departments. The students also dropped off a delivery of wish list items and toys at the hospital before lighting up the night with their flashlights and performances.

The event was organized by Cranston West educator Christine Baum in conjunction with band educator Art Montanaro. The students and staff filled two school busses before every available slot was taken.

Band members brought along their instruments and played under a different set of lights than they’re normally used to – street lights, traffic lights and lights glowing in the hospital windows as Hasbro patients flashed their lights back at the Cranston West students and faculty members gathered below. The drums were draped in twinkling lights and the words “Good Night” decorated the windows of the busses.

In the nearby hospital wing windows, employees could also be seen waving and dancing along to the band’s songs, including the 1980s hit song, “Hey Mickey,” played weekly by the band and performed for fans at the school’s football games.

Passing cars stopped to beep their horns and wave during the performances.

“It was a great night on so many levels. This is a true testament of the great things that happen in our school,” West Principal Tom Barbieri said at the conclusion of the event.