To bring some Christmas cheer to the students at Riverbank High School this past Friday, the Leadership Class devised a few activities during lunch time in the quad for some student fun. The gathering was deemed “The Ugly Sweater Party.” To add to the festivities on Friday, in English teacher and AVID club advisor Nancy Garcia’s classroom, the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Club had an auction that featured several items that were donated by parents, students, and teachers that made for an inexpensive but fun way to get gifts for family or friends just in time for Christmas.

The Leadership Class was originally going to set up the activities indoors due to the rainy weather, however with the sun shining between the puffy clouds they set up shop outdoors. There was a photo booth indoors that was decorated as a winter wonderland with snowflakes, pine cones, and lights along with a box of props to make the photo a little more amusing.

The pie challenge was a little messy but that did not keep students from giving it a whirl. The candy cane pickup game had quite the crowd around where the participant had to use a candy cane to pick up as many candy canes as possible in a specific amount of time. Pin the carrot nose on the snowman was also an option for students to try as well as the “Guess What” game where students had to feel inside the stocking and guess what was in it. Several students stopped by the face painting table to get a snowflake on their hand or face.

“I think today went well, the students came up with many new ideas for games,” stated Gina Tonarelli, Counselor and Activities Advisor. “I hope this brightened student’s spirits for the upcoming finals week as well as winter break.

“The leadership students did a great job as always, I can always count on them.”

The auction was a success as well that had bidders contending with each other that included administrators, students, and teachers.

There were approximately 50 items up for grabs that raised over $400 for the AVID club. The top selling item was a dinette set that sold for $60.

“Teachers and students came in to check on items that they were interested in purchasing,” said Garcia. “There was a competition on several items particularly the candy baskets and dinner and movie tickets.”

The auction was open to anyone that wanted to participate and some students even took pictures of the items and sent them to their parents to see if they were interested in placing a bid. Parents also stopped in after school on Friday to bid on some of the items.

“Since all of the items are donated, the money raised is all profit,” added Garcia. “Besides being able to raise money for the club, it also provides students with a way to purchase inexpensive Christmas items for their parents and siblings. One young man bought his mother some jewelry for Christmas and was so excited he could afford to get her something nice and not have to spend a lot of money.”

The events on Friday gave students an opportunity for some fun activities as well as some Christmas shopping with an auction twist.

“I hope our ugly sweater party was a good kick off to winter break and I hope all the students enjoy their three weeks off,” expressed Tonarelli.

Final day of school before break will be Friday, Dec. 16. Classes do not resume until Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.