The annual Holiday Festival took place on Friday, December 15 at Indian Hills High School. The purpose of the Holiday Festival is to spread some holiday cheer with children from the Paterson Boys and Girls Club.
In October, way before the holiday season, Interact members and other Holiday Festival volunteers were preparing for the upcoming festival by creating holiday decorations, craft projects, and “jingle” bags. “Jingle” bags were filled with age-appropriate gifts like hats, coats, crafts, snacks, stickers, and other special goodies. During the preparation, Mrs. Funk and Mrs. Ferrara’s classrooms were transformed into “Santa’s workshop,” since the two classrooms were where all of the magic was being created.
Hours before the festivities, Interact members, other Holiday Festival participants, and faculty chaperones worked diligently to transform the cafeteria, library, and hallways into a “Winter Wonderland” so the children from the Paterson Boys and Girls Club would feel welcome when entering Indian Hills.
Not only did current students participate in this holiday gathering, but so did former Indian Hills students who had previously graduated. Mrs. Funk comments, “This event is special to me because it brings together a wide cross-section of students. Alumni that come back to visit always ask about the event and reminisce about their experience.”
The Holiday Festival began just over 30 years ago with the first Indian Hills Interact advisor, Miriam Speight, whom the students called “Señora” because she taught Spanish at Indian Hills. The event was first held at a local elementary school in Paterson to spread holiday cheer to some children in need, later becoming an annual event every holiday season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a new format for the Holiday Festival was initiated. Children from the Paterson Boys and Girls Club were invited to Indian Hills for a Holiday Party. During this Holiday Party, the children are provided with dinner, arts and crafts, face painting, games, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa was Coach Hill, as he has been every year for the past 20 years, spreading Christmas cheer, while Mrs. Claus was portrayed by Ms. Marino, who has been Mrs. Claus for the past two years.
