For the last 20 years, Pesses, who jokingly calls herself the Hanukkah Lady, has visited area schools telling the story of the Festival of Lights. She not only explains the significance of the menorah and the dreidel, but she also teaches the students a life lesson.

Pesses said, "I think that kids are very accepting at a very young age if you show them it's alright, ok to be different. It's just a part of living in a small town, that people around you are not all the same."

The holiday commemorates the victory of Jewish freedom fighters in the second century BCE. This was the first time most of the kids at the McNab School in Gloversville heard about the holiday and its traditions.

Fifth grader Jacob Yost said, "It was cool just to learn about Hanukkah. I don't celebrate Hanukkah, I celebrate Christmas."

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"I learned about how Hanukkah is celebrated, and all the candles," said Greg Mosetti.

Just like Christmas, lights are also an important symbol of Hanukkah. One candle in the menorah is lit each day at sundown for the next eight days. Pesses hopes the kids walk away knowing it's important to celebrate the similarities, as well as the differences in everyone.