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High school students bring holiday spirit through SGA’s Christmas Program
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December 16, 2011
Nastassja Pruitt
On Wednesday this week, Gym 1, which would usually only be inhabited by a few PE students, was turned into a winter wonderland filled with hundreds of Kindergarten students.
SGA sponsored the 2011 Kindergarten Christmas Program this year, the fifth one presented by English teacher Katherine Neis since she took charge of SGA as a whole. This year, five schools attended – Harvest Elementary, Endeavor Elementary, Madison Crossroads Elementary, Monrovia Elementary and Legacy Elementary – for a total of 560 children.
“This event was more stressful to plan and manage than homecoming,” SGA president Holden Spears said.
Though there were many children, there were many still helping to put on this grand spectacle. There were 25 SGA helpers that were given a run for their money- always staying on their toes as they took child after child to the bathroom, along with another 10-12 SGA members who dressed up as elves and the rest of the character cast; among one of the favorites was the Grinch. Along with the SGA, the choir was present and performed six songs, the cheerleaders excited the kids and ended up being the kids’ favorite, the drama department put on “The Shoemaker and the Elves” skit, the band played merry music and the Crimson Society helped keep things in order all the while. Yet even with so much help, at least one problem was bound to arise.
“The morning of the program was the most stressful. We kept having issues with the microphone,” Neis said.
Even with the slight malfunction, the program continued smoothly. Looking into the bleachers, there were many smiling faces, a lot of laughter and an aura of pure excitement and happiness. Every child there was put on the “nice” list, and given a candy cane by the SGA, which only helped to hype them up. Not by a small feat did the SGA get so many candy canes – every SGA member was required to donate a box of candy canes. In their spare time, the SGA then grouped and wrapped the candy canes in ribbon for a grand total of 1,930.
“It wasn’t about us, it was about the kids. Seeing them so excited was my favorite part. They start out too timid, coming into a new place, but when they see the elves and the cheerleaders they come to life,” Neis said.
Candy may have given some a sugar high, but a select few got to witness a Christmas miracle. One boy and one girl was selected by each Kindergarten teacher at each school, and allowed to sit in front of Santa as he read “The Night before Christmas”. To the teenagers of the school, he seemed to be just another guy in a red suit with a southern accent, but to the children it was like a dream come true.
“An SGA member volunteered, but Mr. Wallace selected someone personally. Santa was the kids’ favorite part,” Neis said.
The SGA worked tirelessly to make this program happen, and added some excitement to a normal Wednesday for the children of Madison County Schools. They also got their chance to show the community their dedication to this school and their work. For Spears, it meant being able to work with people, which he loves doing, and setting an example for the SGA members of next year.
“Next year, even though I’m graduating, I want SGA to soar and have the best year possible,” Spears said.
