Dragon Echo Staff
Photos by Aniya Scott
Dec. 6 is celebrated as Saint Nicholas Day in many parts of the world, and NHS French club students and their sponsor, French Club teacher Gina Raiciu, introduced students at Carpenter Elementary School to this special tradition on Friday.
The French Club adopted Carpenter for the second year in a row, and gave about 400 presents to the students there, according to Ms. Raiciu.
“On Saint Nicholas Day, children around the world set out their shoes before they go to bed,” Ms. Raiciu said. “Saint Nicholas leaves a small toy inside the shoe for children who have been good. Those who have been naughty get a switch.”
Students in the French Club told Carpenter students about this special tradition, and Santa Claus gave each child a small toy.
French Club students had raised money to pay for the gifts by baking sweets and selling them at football games. The Nacogdoches Jaycees also helped sponsor the event.
Ms. Raiciu said last year Nacogdoches firefighters attended the event and helped, and this year River the Therapy Dog attended and entertained children with his tricks.
Coach Richard Mitchell also represented NHS, serving as Santa’s representative.
Carla Vega, club president, said it was fun watching the students open their gifts, and to see how excited they were. This was her second year to participate.
She loved sharing the history of Saint Nicholas Day with the students, as well.
“They might want to join French Club one day and do the same thing when they get to high school,” she said.
Her favorite part of the day was seeing a little kid run from the lunch line to give Santa a last hug. Santa had already given him a hug, when he got his gift, but he wanted one more, Carla said.
Kayla Escarcega is another member of the French Club, who participated in the event last year.
“Seeing the little kids be happy about their toys was my favorite part,” she said. “Especially the little kids. They were so happy.”
Kayla said it helps high school students grow, when they go out into the community and serve others with acts of kindness.
She said little kids see bigger kids as role models.
“They look up to us, and it’s good for them to see us doing something like this,” she said.
NHS Senior Katya Cruz attended Carpenter in fifth grade, and Friday was her first time to go back there since she was in elementary school.
“It felt good to go back,” she said. “All the kids were smiling and saying “Santa, Santa!”’
Katya said when she was taking pictures, a teacher thanked her for making the kids’ day.
“That meant a lot,” she said.
Katya said French Club is the activity she is most involved in, at school.
“It is fun going to the meetings,” she said. “Even people who don’t talk to each other that much get to know each other better in the club. We talk like we’re not strangers.”
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