Christmas Wish is an annual event at Lakeland High School, during which students ask for a present of their choice.
“I asked for a Jellycat or a stuffed animal, and I got a stuffed bunny that is very cute and very precious,” Isabella Peterson said.
The school then surprises numerous kids around the school with the presents they asked for.
This event makes kids feel special at school and is something that students look forward to during the last week of school.
LHS’s SRO Officer hatcher dresses as Santa, and Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Frank, and Mrs. LaFountain go around the school to classrooms to surprise students with their gifts.
Christmas Wish is a great cause that allows students who may not get certain gifts they asked for from their parents to have their wishes fulfilled here at school.
“This whole tradition was Mrs. Knoll’s idea, and it all started with one of our students making a wish for something practical that they are wishing for at Christmas. Then Mrs. Knoll and her leadership class and the staff of Lakeland try to do everything in their power to make those wishes come true,” Mr. Hoffman said.
The students at Lakeland really enjoy this time of year, and Mrs. Knoll’s and the student council’s effort into this tradition makes this day even more special.
Along with giving gifts throughout the school day, there is also an assembly at the end of the day, during which students are called down and open presents in front of the whole school.
“This assembly in 6th period is very special, and it puts a smile on so many people’s faces,” Mr. Hoffman said.
The assembly normally features larger gifts, such as animals like cats, that some students were gifted at last year’s assembly. It is a great feeling to have your name called to come down, see what you are gifted in front of everyone, and see the smiles on everyone’s faces.
This day is very special because other schools around here do not do this for their students, making LHS such a great community.
Some of the gifts that are given are highly unique and definitely add smiles to people’s faces.
“I asked for a boyfriend or an air fryer, and I got a Grow a Boyfriend. You put it in water, and it grows to roughly 12 inches. It is definitely not what I expected, but I got a good laugh out of it. At least now I have someone to ride shotgun with me,” Ella Clark said.
