Westmont and Branham High Schools kicked off the season of giving with the Winter Wishes tradition. Every year students submit wishes they hope their school’s Associated Student Body (ASB) will grant during a school year.
At Branham High School, the COVID-19 pandemic put a new spin on the tradition with leadership students doing home deliveries of granted wishes, which added a new intimate feel to the already emotional tradition for many students, staff and families. As reported by the Branham High School Bear Witness newspaper, among the wishes granted included MacBook laptops, GoPro cameras, grocery money, and gift cards to help students and families in need this holiday season.
For her Winter Wish, junior Alyssa Evans asked for a Costco gift card for her father Ernie. Evans told the Bear Witness that he has done a lot for the family of six, but the pandemic has brought on increased financial hardship.
“Knowing that the community wanted to help my family meant a lot,” Alyssa said in a Bear Witness social media post, “And it was emotional to see my dad getting some extra help since he does so much for us.”
Westmont High School leadership students also continued its annual Winter Wishes tradition. Among the gifts granted by students, was a thank you gift of chocolates to Westmont High School’s clerical staff for their hard work in keeping the school running during this pandemic.