IN A COURTYARD FESTIVELY hung with garland and lights, St. Nicholas Day was celebrated with songs, stories and a surprise visit by a famous man of the same name: Santa Claus.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Placentia celebrated its sixth annual Christmas Tree Lighting event on Dec. 6 with student performances, a story reading by Santa Claus, hot cocoa and candy canes.
“I’m super excited about tonight,” said Principal Amanda Hawley. “I think it’s the perfect way to start the Advent season and bring Christmas spirit to our school. We are always looking for ways to bring the community together that isn’t necessarily a fundraiser or where people have to spend money. We want them to come together and enjoy the time.”
The momentous visit from the North Pole’s most famous resident was met with a mob of the littlest children trying to hug him. Karissa Vazquez’ son was one of them, excited by the jolly man in the red suit.
“He was jumping up and down and just that little twinkle; that’s exactly why we’re here and that’s why we love this time of year,” Vazquez said. “He was so excited. I don’t think he knew Santa was going to be here.”
Once the Santa fan mob dispersed, Mr. Claus gave a blessing before lighting the Christmas tree.
“Lord Jesus, circle this tree with your blessings,” he said, “may its twinkling lights remind us of the hope and promise of Your Coming. May we find joy in the memories we share in its tinsel and trimmings. May the presents that we place beneath it give rise to the appreciation of the gift of Your presence.”
The event began with a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by St. Joseph’s Drama Club, followed by a troupe of fourth and fifth graders in festive sweaters, clutching cream-colored recorders to play “Jingle Bells.” The school choir also performed a mash-up of holiday favorites and a crowd accompanied rendition of “Feliz Navidad.”
“I was really nervous, but I felt like I had a lot of fun,” said fourth-grade chorister Arden Walswich, 9.
Fifth-grader Madeline Romero, 11, a fellow chorister, was having a good time. She said it made her happy to see the tree light up and glow.
“I like seeing them put up all the Christmas lights, I like being with my friends and taking a picture with Santa,” Romero said.
St. Joseph Catholic School is known for its performing arts program, which features the first through eighth grade putting on a spring musical at Servite High School’s theater, said Assistant Principal Laurie Cantrell, who also directs the program.
The students most recently performed “Godspell Jr.” and “Peter Pan Jr.” The junior refers to a condensed version of the original plays with changes for younger voices. After Christmas break, the school will gear up for its newest production, “Into the Woods Jr.”
Arden’s big sister, eighth-grader Juliana Walswich, 14, said she enjoys performing. She was in the last two plays and is going to audition for “Into the Woods Jr.” It’s not just the performing arts program that she enjoys about St. Joseph, though.
“I feel the teachers do a really good job pushing us to a higher level and since it’s such a small school, there’s a really unified spirit,” Juliana said. “We all know each other. Pretty much anyone in this courtyard I could name, even the parents. The teachers really connect with the students since it’s a small school and give you individualized learning.”