Taste The Hot Coco By Brie Dean

Cold breeze, peppermint scents and thick coats everywhere the holiday season approaches; schools across the country transform into centers of celebration and community spirit. Students find endless ways to live in the festive atmosphere, decorating their homes and donating to charities. Will Story a Hillgrove student said ‘’ I donated to a toy drive to give back to the community. ‘’ The excitement builds heavily, and traditions and memories both old and new help create a sense of unity among peers. A Hillgrove student Anna-Kate Hall said one of her favorite memories with her friends at school is.‘’ My friend bought a party popper  to school, and we popped it and it scared me, but it was so fun to get in the spirit’’ Capturing how students celebrate and showcase their excitement for the holidays and proving that when the holidays come around everyone tends to get happy. 

One of the most visible signs of holiday spirit is the decoration of school spaces.  some schools make sure the hallways are lined with colorful lights, handmade ornaments, and themed bulletin boards. Teachers often encourage students to contribute creative projects, which not only brighten the environment but also showcase artistic talent. ‘’ teachers give us a coloring sheet for the holidays' 'said Anna Kate Hall. These decorations and schoolwork serve as daily reminders of the season and give students the opportunity to feel the warmth of the season.

Beside the decorations, students take part in school activities such as Concerts, plays, and talent shows to highlight the music of the season giving the performers the ability to share their skills and spread the holiday spice and cheer. Anna -Kate Hall said ‘’ I get involved in concerts for orchestra sometimes to spread cheer. Showing the involvement students have at school., however some Students really seemed to like decorating their homes it seemed to be the biggest thing students do to as Nile Herrera stated ‘’I’d say a Christmas tree is my favorite type of decoration as people in my neighborhood decorate their doors with a Christmas wreath which is lame’’. Showing how he gets into the decorating state of mind and how he gets to feel the vibes of the holidays. 

Charitable activities also play a significant role in the holiday spirit. Many schools organize food drives, toy collections, or fundraising campaigns for local families in need. Students take pride in contributing to these efforts, recognizing that generosity is a central theme of the season.  Taking initiatives like this teaches valuable lessons about empathy and community responsibility to the students  Will Story a student said, "I sometimes go to the homeless shelter and donate goods’ Showing empathy or how you can help during the holidays, also showing how it impacts the minds of young people and showing them the importance of togetherness. By engaging in creative, charitable, and social traditions, students ensure that the holiday spirit thrives within their schools.

In every hallway, classroom, and event, the enthusiasm of students is very high, which helps demonstrate how the holiday season can be celebrated not only with decorations and performances but also with passion and unity.