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Santa Uses Spell Check On Your Wish List
Article by Bandera High
School Student Megan Moran
Photos by Bandera High School Student Emily King
Bandera, Texas
● December 18, 2009
We all have memories of sitting on
Santa’s lap telling him what we wanted for Christmas.
Whether we were smiling or crying, we have all had
experiences, which will last a lifetime.
During last year’s holiday season,
students in the BHS Functional Living Unit (FLU) went on
a field trip. On the way back to BHS, they stopped at a
mall to browse.
One of the students, senior Kris Maya was
devastated that the mall did not have a Santa Claus. So,
after much thought Christopher Stone, one of the FLU
teachers, arranged for Santa Claus to come to BHS this
year.
Santa Claus visited with the students and
answered very important questions. “What will happen if
I spell something wrong on my wish list?” asked
sophomore Chris Barbie. “Oh don’t worry, the elves run
everything through spell check.” Santa said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus also reinforced the
crucial rule of being “good boys and girls, not only for
the holidays, but all year long.”
Although it is a holiday tradition that
coal is put into the stockings of naughty children, Mr.
Stone doesn’t agree. “He [Santa Claus] really
encourages the kids to behave. I don’t really agree with
the coal, but I have a feeling he hasn’t done that in a
really long time, if you know what I mean.”
Later, Santa, Mrs. Claus, students of
FLU, Santa’s helpers (FLU paraprofessionals Alma
Fernandez and Leticia Ruiz), and students sat down at a
festive table to eat a marvelous feast. This feast,
which was almost wholly prepared by the FLU students
themselves, consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes, green
beans, sweet potatoes, a dinner roll, iced tea, and a
brownie with whipped cream. “Though the kids did most of
the cooking, they were so focused on Santa when he came
into the room, the ‘elves’ ended up finishing!” said
Fernandez.
Senior Justin Winters was pleased with
his outcome of the brownies he baked, and judging by the
empty plates so was everyone else. Winters and his
friends also wanted to thank fellow BHS students: senior
Cisco Ruiz, junior Brandy Wilson and sophomores John
Smith and Shyanne Yurrita for volunteering to help make
this visit so special.
Throughout the years, these students have
learned many life skills, which complement their
traditional education. Not only can they cook delicious
meals, but they also help clean the Methodist Church, as
well as assisting with the cleaning and maintenance of
the BISD bus barn and BHS itself.
Similarly, FLU students are involved with
the local Spirits of Christmas and lend a hand sweeping
the pavilion at the Bandera Boys and Girls Club. “I hope
we will encourage the kids, so when they grow-up they
will be involved in their community and workplace,” Mr.
Stone said.
One of Santa’s helpers, Mrs. Ruiz invited
sophomore Daryl Preece to join in the fun. “He had such
a great time and now believes that all things are
possible,” Ruiz said.
After the meal and visiting with Santa
Claus, each of the students got to create a new memory,
just like those we all of have of growing up. Each
student sat on Santa’s lap and received a small present.
“I really love my present!” said freshman Tiffany Star,
who was ecstatic about her special furry treat.
This will surely be a new
memory in the books of these lucky students. All in all,
the students were ‘ecstatic’ about this opportunity and
are grateful to Kris and Santa’s helpers who made it all
possible.
# # #
PHOTO ATTACHED:
Marcos
(L-R)
Freshman Marcos Quinones enjoys a special moment with
Santa during his recent luncheon with the FLU classroom.
PHOTO ATTACHED:
Letters
(L-R)
Chris Barbie and Greg Ackerman make sure that their
letters to Santa are ready for Santa's spell checker! |
