Students Bring Christmas Cheer to Claremont Senior Community

Posted December 18th, 2008 in K-8, K-8 Special Events Comments Off

  Associated Student Body students from Western Christian School recently gave more than 50 seniors from the Joslyn Senior Center a blast of holiday cheer.

  Eighth graders Ashley Haushalter, Jordyn Ivey and  Barbara Smith, along with 7th graders Andie Olson and Eniara Soyinka, entertained the elder audience for nearly an hour with activities invoking the holiday spirit.

  The period right before lunchtime involved the students singing Christmas carols, handing out gifts and setting up a Christmas tree near the entrance of the Joslyn Center. The seniors were also treated to cake
and apple cider.

  “It was exciting,” Jordyn said. “It filled me with joy
to be of service to other people.”
 
  Ashley agreed.
”The best part was the look on their faces,” she said.Last week’s occasion marked the first time Western Christian perfOrmed an outreach to the Joslyn Center community during the holiday season. According to school staff, it will not be the last.

  The event was a hit among seniors, who appreciated the efforts of the private school and would welcome an encore appearance next December.

  “It was nice to have them and it was nice to see fresh beautiful faces,” said Marie Searles, a senior who attended the event. “What they might do next time though is to encourage all of us to sing along with them.They could have songs that they sing just like they did this year and then add a few songs where everybody could sing together.”

  Enjoying the holiday outreach with friends, Irma Jo Dalessio took delight in the event as a whole. Yet a highlight for the seniors during the celebration was the chance to sip from a cup of apple cider;

  “I haven’t had apple cider in years:’ she said. “It was
good. In fact, this whole event was very good.”
  -landus Rigsby