On Dec. 19 2022, Germantown Academy hosted its annual, school-wide Holiday Program for the first time since 2019.
GA’s CSO hosts a Holiday Program every year before winter break. Students and faculty donate gifts that benefit local charities for the holiday season. The Holiday Program is a special event because it’s one of the few times all three divisions gather together in one space. This year was especially different because it was the first time in two years we’ve been able to gather together due to the pandemic.
Because the Field House was renovated over the summer, this year’s Holiday program looked different than years in the past. “This year the Holiday Program was a big challenge for me, since we completely changed the format” said Mr. Carlos Chubb, CSO lead faculty member. These changes included a large inflatable screen where sing-a-longs and faculty Tiktoks were projected. In addition, a festive powerpoint was displayed that appealed to audience members from every grade level.
Despite the challenges of organizing this event, Mr. Chubb said he “was thrilled to manage a team of amazing CSO leaders and to coordinate with the charities who would benefit from GA’s involvement with the Holiday Program.”
This year, gifts from the Lower School students and faculty were donated to Mitzvah Circle. The Mitzvah Circle is a local non-profit organization that provides families with essential items that are not covered by government assistance, such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, diapers, and deodorant. The Lower School monetary donation recipient this year was Whosoever Gospel Mission, who work to help homeless men in any capacity they need.
Middle School students and faculty donated clothing, shoes, baby hygienic products and books to Cradles to Crayons in Philadelphia. Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that collects toys, books, and essential items and creates and ships packages for kids in need in the local Philadelphia area. The monetary donation recipient from the Middle School was Carson Valley Children’s aid, which is a non-profit that provides services to kids in the foster care system to “ensure their safety and build on their strengths” (CVCA).
Freshman and Sophomores donated gifts to Gemma Services, which offers a variety services for help including education, mental health, foster care, and prevention programs. The Junior class brought gifts and essential products that were donated to the American Ukrainian Relief Association. Senior CSO leader Hannah Manusov ’23 said the organization is “an amazing organization that collects and distributes essential items to families in need in Ukraine.”
She continues by explaining her personal relation with them: “My family is originally from Odessa, a city in what is now Southern Ukraine. I feel disconnected from and horrified by what is going on now with the war. Helping such an amazing organization is very important to me, and I know that the essential items that the Juniors provided will go a very long way in aiding innocent families and children, and also soldiers and citizens fighting for their lives.”
Finally, the Seniors donated gift cards to Southwest Philadelphia Community Services, who work with people in Southwest Philadelphia to meet their needs in many ways, from housing counseling to helping working parents with educating their children. The Upper School’s monetary donation recipient went to Family Promise. “They help low income and homeless families achieve sustainability housing, and they help them get back on their feet,” said Serena Bagga ’23, a CSO leader who works with this organization for her Academy Scholars project.
The Holiday Program is extremely important to the GA community because it’s a time to join together as a community and appreciate what we have to be thankful for, while also celebrating the season of giving by donating to various great charities and organizations. As Mr. Chubb said, “We help local organizations to deliver assistance and joy to those in need, and this allows us to reflect and acknowledge that, despite the ups and downs we might have, at the end of the day, we are all very fortunate to be in the place we are and we should continue being proactive when it comes to acts of service.”
After the Holiday Program, the GA community enjoyed a two week winter break, but, upon returning, Upper School students were hit with the next big deadline: the end of the first semester. Even though this was a time of stress for both students and faculty, memories came back together for seniors as they reflected on their time at GA. “It is really bittersweet,” said Kate Stone ‘23. “It’s crazy to know that I am in my senior year, like that is just insane to me. It felt like just yesterday I was a freshman here and it feels like because of COVID it was a blink and you miss it.”
With the second semester already underway, seniors are making the most of their last few months at GA and are looking forward to continuing the next chapter of their lives.