Smith, Heritage students discover holiday joy at Winter Carnival

by Tina Cole-Mullins

The smiling faces of merry children dressed in red and green, some wearing festive ribbons and bows, could be seen in the decked halls of Smith and Heritage schools. They were joined by parents, grandparents, family and friends for the annual  Smith and Heritage Elementary Winter Carnival and Christmas program.

Students of Smith Elementary’s kindergarten, first and second grade classes shared a joyous holiday chorus selection before a gymnasium filled with parents and others in the audience who rotated seats between the grade-level performances.

The special guest appearance of a visitor from the North Pole drew excitement from the children, as Santa took some time away from his busy season to arrive at Smith. The students and parents also enjoyed the Winter Carnival events including a cake walk, crafts, storytime, bounce house slide, and games in the gym.

“The Christmas carnival is the best place for children, young and old, to see Santa and have unlimited time telling him their wishes,” Deanna Krueger, Heritage Elementary administrative assistant, said. “A great night was had by all.”

Events and activities such as the Winter Carnival are hosted and organized by the Panther Cubs PTO. It takes active and dedicated volunteers and their support and fundraising to offer these activities for the students.

“Thank you to all those that came out to support Panther Cubs PTO’s Winter Carnival,” Reaghan Walz, a mom and PTO coordinator, said. “We also had several other volunteers that were instrumental in making it all work out. It basically takes our whole Stockbridge family and then some to make it happen.”

Along with volunteers, Walz said her children pitched in to help.

“I also feel like I owe my kids a thank you,” she said. “They help prep for the event, they do all the running around with me. They set it up. They take it down and they help wherever I ask them.”

Author’s Note: See upcoming article on the Panthers PTO and Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers.

The kindergarten class takes the stage to sing at the Winter Carnival. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

Soloists in the first grade class perform. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

The second graders wait to perform. Photo credit Mary Marks, mom of Mikey Marks

Deanna Krueger, Heritage Elementary administrative assistant, checking her list twice.
Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

Deanna Krueger and Carrie Graham take a minute to pose for a photo during the Winter Carnival. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

School hallways were decked, but not with holly, for those to stroll merry and jolly.
Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

Volunteer Zach Hoard and daughter Raven help children at the entrance to the bounce house slide at the Winter Carnival. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

Winter Carnival participants enjoyed the cake walk. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

Young students showed their creativity while making a Christmas craft. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

AnnaBelle Yannella and Rayne Hitchcock enjoyed the WInter Carnival. Photo credit Stephanie Hitchcock

(L-R) Emily Whitaker, Josie Whitaker, Brooks Whitaker and Aaron Whitaker look at the student artwork on display in the school hallway. Photo credit Clyde Whitaker

Angelo and cousin Arabella dressed up for the Winter Carnival. Photo credit Janie Mendez

The Mendez family took time to visit Santa Claus during the Winter Carnival. Photo credit Janie Mendez

Santa visits with Cheyenne and Alexis during the Winter Carnival. Photo credit Tina Cole-Mullins

What a night! Santa needed a little winter’s nap after visiting with all who wanted to see him at the Winter Carnival 2023. Shhh…see you next year! Photo credit Jessica Lane