DHS catches the ho-ho-holiday spirit

Walking through the halls of school, it’s easy to see that DHS is ready for the holidays: there are Christmas trees in the classrooms, holiday posters on the walls, and, as part of the effort to raise toys for underprivileged kids, brightly wrapped boxes set in the halls. The Christmas spirit is evident on campus, and students and teachers enjoy the holiday cheer.

“I feel like all the Christmas stuff going on brings cheer and happiness to the school,” senior Brenden Rizo said. “It makes it feel more like the holidays.”

Right now, FCCLA is hosting a toy drive to benefit the Devine Police Department’s Red Santa operation. They are asking for unwrapped toys fit for boys and girls of all ages. The toys are being donated to the police department, where they will be wrapped and distributed to children who otherwise wouldn’t receive gifts this Christmas.

“I’m really excited to be gathering toys for the little kids,” junior FCCLA member Pricila Rodriguez said. “Knowing that our student body can help make a child’s Christmas is very special.”

The club is also spreading Christmas cheer by volunteering time and effort to aid the intermediate with their annual Christmas concert. The classes have been sewing close to 150 elf hats for the students to wear while they perform popular holiday tunes.

“Three of my Principles of Human Services classes have successfully earned five credits of volunteer hours and learned two hand stitches in helping sew elf hats for the intermediate school’s musical program,” FCCLA sponsor Madeline Steubing said.

Another addition to the Christmas cheer is the art classes’ holiday posters around the school. Art teacher Nora Rodriguez assigns groups of students in her classes a poster to create for every holiday. So far there have been Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course, Christmas paintings.

“All the Christmas posters around the school are cute,” senior Courtney Weinstrom said. “The art department did an amazing job of decking the halls this year.”

The posters add a significant amount of spirit to the halls. With themes ranging from a snowy Devine or the popular animated Disney movie “Frozen”, the paintings are placed all around the school to showcase the students’ hard work.

“I enjoyed making the Christmas posters because I got to draw Olaf,” junior Johnny Gallegos said. “It’s nice to see my poster in the halls with all the other decorations.”