With wrapped mugs for the mug exchange stacking up beneath the sparkly tree and food nicely displayed for everyone to share, NHS and StuCo members piled into the library for their Christmas party. NHS members brought snacks and StuCo members brought hot chocolate bar fixings, and bother groups came together to celebrate. 

     “I wasn’t able to stay for long, but I did get a chance to try some of the food,” senior Guadalupe Gonzalez said. “The snickerdoodle cookies were really good.”

     The students were split into groups to participate in Christmas-themed games as a way to encourage teamwork.

     “I think that it was a really great bonding experience for all of the members and I had a blast,” senior Madison Gilliam said. “We played a lot of games, but I would have to say that the marshmallow stacking game was my favorite. We failed miserably, but I still had a good time.”

     Students who attended also brought mugs for the white elephant mug exchange.

     “The mug exchange was fun,” senior Julyan Woods said. “Everyone was laughing and having a good time. People were really getting into it and kept on stealing mugs from each other.”

     The party was in the planning stages for weeks but nearly didn’t happen when school released early after the city shut the water off for the second day in a row for repairs to a main line. Advisers Lauren Rodriguez and Melonie Menefee scrambled, surveyed the officers, and decided to move the time up and continue with the party.

     “I’m so glad we went ahead,” Menefee said. “We bought bottled water and avoided the restrooms and everyone had such a great time. I’m hoping this is the start of a new tradition for us.”