On December 13, 2022, the students in the DLSEC RISE program delighted a standing-room-only audience with jubilant Christmas songs and dances. Each RISE class prepared a holiday number to perform. DLSEC Executive Director Jason Appelt welcomed the crowd and DLSEC Multi-District Programs Principal Tessa Sanchez served as host for the event. During the program, RISE student John Moore was recognized for creating the artwork for the annual DLSEC Christmas card that was sent to over 300 recipients.
After the program, students were surprised with a visit from the jolly, ol’ man we all know and love, Santa Claus. Santa and his helpers gave each joyful student a Christmas present. The Lions Clubs from Hallettsville, Moulton, Shiner, Yoakum, and Yorktown provide the funding support to ensure each RISE student receives a gift from his or her wish list. Every student also received a fun-filled treat bag from Ginger Shows, one of Santa’s kind-hearted elves.
During the party, guests enjoyed Grinch punch and holiday cookies made by the Yoakum ISD Nutrition Department. The tables were adorned with creative holiday decorations made by RISE students and seasonal floral arrangements created by Kayla Guelker’s students in Yoakum High School’s advanced floral design class. Lions Club members were on hand to assist students and gather trash. Each of the gifts from Santa was festively wrapped by Annette Ratley’s eighth-grade students from St. Joe Catholic School.
The RISE InVEST students and staff set up a booth for the event where guests could make some holiday selections from the jewelry and other crafts the InVEST students made.
This event is an annual highlight for the students, their families, and the DLSEC staff. We could not have such a successful event each year without the generous donations of time and money from the DLSEC community.