The holiday season is finally here at Pacifica and Mariners are more excited than ever to connect with their peers and community. Choir kicked off the season with some Christmas caroling in West Garden Grove to spread some holiday cheer. In the library, Mrs. Chapman hosted a holiday arts and crafts event where students were able to paint wooden ornaments and have some fun during tutorial. Up next was Adopt-A-Child where seniors finally met their kindergartener that they’ve been shopping for. It was an emotional event as one generation finishes their schooling, while the other is just getting started. Additionally, Life Skills had their own white elephant gift party in the auditorium where they celebrated Christmas a little early with a white elephant gift exchange. Finishing off the season, the last day to donate to Holiday drive was on the 17th and received much appreciated turn out from our Mariners.
Holiday Drive:
This year, the Red Cross decided to host a holiday drive to help people out for the upcoming holidays. People were able to donate supplies such as water, juice, pasta, grains, food items, and hygiene products to rooms 509, 705, the office, and the bookstore. Vice President of the Red Cross Club at Pacifica, Erica Aceves, states, “I think we’re going to get a lot of people because the teachers that we’re partnered with are very accessible and popular. We also offer some extra credit opportunities so I think it will be very successful. I know that a lot of people are struggling in the current economy so I feel like there’s a lot more people this year in need of help. I volunteer to help my people. I want someone to have a good Christmas this year. I want those who are in need of things to have a comfortable Christmas. It’s a small participation on your part to make someone’s life exponentially better, be the reason the world changes.” As Michael Jackson said, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make that change,” and what better way to do that than helping your community enjoy Christmas and worry about one less thing this holiday season.
Arts and Crafts:
Students were able to participate in an arts and craft session in the library, hosted by Mrs. Chapman, on
Friday the 12th during tutorial. Mrs. Chapman stated, “I have a lot of students who can’t fit an art class into their schedule, so I think it’s a nice brain break from all their academics and extracurriculars, something that’s not being graded. They can be creative, they can sit with their friends, and even if they end up hating it, it’s something different. I like being crafty, but I’m not super creative on my own, so even I struggle with this and it’s nice if I don’t know if I want to take a full year art class, but I could dedicate 35 minutes of my day to doing this little craft. I have some students who come by themselves and they pick a table, and they’ll just start talking to the other students from all different grade levels. They take different classes and have different activities and I like that it’s not just people who come in with their group of friends, or it’s all one grade level, it’s for everybody.” These arts and craft sessions are a great way for students to de-stress and hang out with new people, all while enjoying some relaxing painting.
PHS Choir Caroling:
The Pacifica High School choir brought holiday spirit to campus by carolling around the school. Choir students visited different areas, sharing festive music with classmates and staff and turning an ordinary week into a celebration of sound and community. Freshman Emma Evans, experiencing high school choir at Pacifica for the first time, explained how they prepared. “Sometimes DJ (PHS Choir Teacher) plays songs, and we sing along with them,” she said. “He also makes practice tracks for each part—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—and plays them on the piano. Then we go home and practice with those tracks.” On the day of carolling, the choir performed classic holiday songs that many students and teachers recognised. As they moved through classrooms and hallways, people paused to listen, some humming along or tapping their feet. At the end of each song, there was applause, smiles, and a noticeable lift in everyone’s mood. Emma admitted she still gets nervous performing, “especially when I’m in front,” but said she has improved over the past few years. For her, carolling is about more than just singing correctly. “I hope our carolling brings good feelings, just comfort and joy to people,” she said. She added that choir has been “really fun” and that she loves the community. Events like this week’s carolling show how the choir adds to campus life beyond concerts and competitions by creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere during a busy time of year. Emma had one final message, which is to encourage others to “…join choir next year!”
Adopt A Child:
On Monday, December 15th, seniors took part in the annual Adopt‑a‑Child event, spending part of the day with kindergarteners and bringing Christmas a little early for them. Each senior was paired with a “child,” and together they enjoyed a series of festive activities designed to make the younger students feel special and celebrated. The event turned campus into a mini winter wonderland. There was a Santa ready for photos, giving the kindergarteners a chance to share their wishes and pose with their senior buddies. A small train ride gave each senior and their child a fun way to tour the area together, creating a memory many of them will likely never forget. Hot chocolate and gifts added to the excitement, as students sipped warm drinks and opened presents side by side.
Life Skills White Elephant Party:
During tutorial on Tuesday, December 16, the Life Skills students held a White Elephant gift exchange that became a meaningful day of bonding. Students took turns choosing and opening wrapped gifts, reacting with surprise, excitement, and a lot of laughter. Some students traded presents or proudly showed their gifts to friends, which helped start conversations and encouraged everyone to interact more. The activity was about more than just presents; it gave Life Skills students a chance to spend time together, feel included, and enjoy a festive break from their usual routine. By the end of tutorial, the class felt more connected, and students left with both gifts and positive memories.
