The Christmas tree lighting. A heartfelt prayer, carols sung in Italian, hot chocolate and cookies, and of course the “Ooooohhhhh” moment when the Paul VI front walkway becomes a magical avenue of light and goodwill – is there anything that isn’t made better with Christmas lights?
The Christmas video. A relatively new tradition, the Christmas video was an enormous hit last year. Halls were decked, apparel was donned and tinsel rained down on a joyful community whose full-strength Christmas spirit lit up screens everywhere. Be sure to visit the Paul VI Facebook page to check out this year’s edition.
The Christmas mascots. No, really. The last school day before Christmas welcomes some very special visitors – think Santa, Mrs. Claus, a few elves. And then… there are the mascots – Frosty and Rudolph – who welcome students to the dining hall throughout the day. While we never want to ruin the mascot magic, it should be noted that mascots are made possible by some very warmhearted – and generally warm – Paul VI students.
How many Christmas trees? Honestly, we lose count, but it’s somewhere in the high teens. Besides the outside tree, there’s the big tree in the lobby, and various classrooms and departments put their own academic spin on the traditional Christmas tree. Fan favorites include the official media center tree with ornaments fashioned of book pages, and another tree constructed entirely of books; the lab in 204 boasts a tree laden with student-crafted ornaments including some standouts like the gingerbread Albert Einstein Santa and little crochet pillow of a DNA module.
Both Christmas concerts. There’s the evening concert, so well-attended by Paul VI family and friends that the school schedules another in-school performance. Student artists spread Christmas cheer with music and a Rockettes-worthy chorus line… and then there’s Santa, tossing pounds of candy canes to a student audience that understands the power of peppermint.
Remembering the reason. Never a school to downplay its Catholic identity, Paul VI High School embraces the true meaning of December 25 all throughout the season. There’s the Toys for Tots drive; the advent wreath in the lobby; the two outdoor crèches; the beautiful nativity scene; the Penance services; sacred music in the Christmas concert and of course the special schoolwide Christmas Mass. We love Santa as much as anyone, but we never forget who came first.
Paul VI High School
Haddonfield
(856) 858-4900
PVIHS.org
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 6.
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