By Lia Richardson
Staff Writer
Operation Christmas Child
In preparation for the holidays, Key Club and Christian Club collaborated on Nov. 12 and 14 to participate in Operation Christmas Child, a national project supplying children in underprivileged areas with Christmas gifts.
At their club meetings, students packed shoeboxes full of items such as hygiene products, school supplies, toys and handwritten cards. The club has participated in the program during previous years.
“We feel that Operation Christmas Child aligns with our values of spreading the gospel, as Jesus commanded us,” junior Christian Club public relations officer Abigale Sung said. “Of course, we also desire to spread love and joy through the boxes we pack with utmost care.”
The students received support from Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization that “serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Launching Operation Christmas Child in 1993, gifts are now sent to over 170 countries and territories every year.
Christian Club cabinet members sent 25 shoeboxes to the Chinese Bible Missions Church in Alhambra for the organization to send to impoverished children.
“For me, Christmas music didn’t start after Halloween, or after Thanksgiving,” Sung said. “It started when I was packing those red and green boxes, carefully color coding everything and hoping whoever it reached could feel Jesus’s love through the gifts they received.”
Winter Formal
This year’s Winter Formal, “Wish Upon A Star,” inspired by fairy tales such as Cinderella, will feature a 360 photo booth. Students can buy tickets for the event that will be in the gym on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
“While they all draw upon fairytales, I think that what sets each dance apart is the color scheme and also the ideas that we bring to it,” senior activities commissioner Megha Arun said. “I feel like for Homecoming, it was darker themed because it was around Halloween but this one is more light and more towards snow.”
Since Winter Formal is on campus, ticket prices are around $30 cheaper than last year. This year’s budget is $13,400 as opposed to last year’s $31,000. Another difference from last year’s Winter Formal is that the dance will not include a court.
“People should come to Winter Formal because it is the last dance that freshmen and sophomores would be able to attend,” Arun said. “This dance will include features not seen during homecoming and will not be available at prom either.“
The Activities Committee is still finalizing details such as food and activities. Next year, ASB plans to have Winter Formal off campus.