Christmas Around Seabury
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and with that comes the anticipation of arguably the most important holiday of the year: Christmas. Because of this, certain Seahawks are bringing Christmas cheer (and decorations) to the school. The seniors, along with Dr. Schawang, got a Christmas tree for the commons and covered the tree with plenty of red, silver and gold colored ornaments.
Community is very important to the seniors in relation to the tree, both in the sense of the senior class itself and the entire school. “I think that it sort of ties the community together as a school and shows that we are unified,” says senior Seth Thompson-Glodich. “I think it shows that the seniors are leaving their mark on the community. I think that it brings the class together. It was something that everyone was engaged in. It brought us together and it’s our gift to the school.” Thompson-Glodich is also grateful for the tradition that comes with the tree: “I appreciate that I’m part of the tradition now and I feel more connected to the school.” As it turns out, getting a Christmas tree is a longstanding Seabury tradition. According to headmaster Don Schawang, the senior class has been bringing back the festive pines for the last ten years.
Fellow seniors echo the ideas of tradition and community when talking about the tree. “It brings in sense of community,” says senior Caleb Brewer. “It’s something we can all share and admire. It also definitely brought our class closer together. It was a good bonding experience. It means a lot to our class because it’s our tree.” However, the primary focus, according to Brewer, is much more simple: “It brings the Christmas spirit into the school more than anything.” Brewer also has some sage words of advice for future senior classes when it’s their time to add to the tradition: “When it’s your turn to go get the tree, make it something special. Don’t just get the tree and decorate it and whatever. Make it fun and special.” Apart from the tree, the seniors have started some traditions of their own in the form of stockings for teachers and an elf on the shelf.
Faculty member Chris Bryan and his advising group has also added some flair in the form of decorations. Over the last few days, they have put up lights across the front of the trailer where both Mr. Bryan and Mr. Gollier teach, and have put garlands across the side of the building facing the rest of campus along with real pine tree branches on the railing. Along with a large red ribbon to top it off, the large amount of green really fits the Christmas theme. “I think they really add to the festive vibe and to the Christmas spirit,” says freshman and Bryan advisee Marie Brockhoff. Because both the commons and the first trailer are heavily decorated in the spirit of Christmas, it’s hard to look around and not feel the festive vibe Brockhoff describes.
As Christmas nears, it is very clear that Seabury is ready for it. While Seabury has gotten a tree for years, what makes this year different are all of the additional decorations, which were not present in previous years. Despite it feeling to some like the first half of the year has flown by far too quickly, it can be said that the Seahawks are especially ready for Christmas this year.
