Cookies with Santa will be hosted by the theater department from 11a.m. to 2p.m. on Dec. 7 in the auditorium, offering students and families picture opportunities and a fun time.
“We have a Santa, and everyone else in fall play gets to be elves, reindeer, snowmen, whatever the costume room has or whatever you bring. And then there’s goodies, there’s some drawing stuff, and you get to take a photo with Santa,” Mitchell Countryman, senior, said. Countryman has been involved in theater for four years and has volunteered for various school fundraisers.
The theater department’s Christmas fundraising events have been family-focused fun for years, having numerous positive effects on school life and the community.
“I think it’s a really good thing to have the community come to our school, and it’s good fundraising for the theater department. And a good way to spread some Christmas magic,” Ella Ruland, junior, said. Ruland is a three-time volunteer and long-time attendee of theater Christmas events, even before her high school career.
The staff who volunteer each year encourage everyone to participate “Even though the event is made for little kids, I think all ages would have fun being there,” theater student and volunteer Adelyn Millerd, senior, said.
But it’s not just fun for visitors. The volunteers and advisors have just as much fun planning and helping out with the occasion.
Patricia Stoner, faculty sponsor, said her favorite moments of the events are “seeing all the high school students making funny ornaments and decorating funny cookies while setting it all up. Them being silly always makes us laugh.”
The idea behind Cookies with Santa was derived from other successful events and functions to make sure families and students have a good time.
“It was based on tea time with princesses, but put a twist on it and do cookies with Santa,” theater director and event advisor Cathryn Robinson said.
Students describe Cookies with Santa as a fun, affordable, family-friendly holiday gathering.
“They can expect to have a jolly good holiday time,” Countryman said.