Swinging through the holiday season

The long-awaited winter recess that marks the upcoming holiday season, as well as the end of the current calendar year and the start of a new one, is not the only reason students and faculty are buzzing with activity and anticipation.  

With most schools posting a Jan. 1 deadline, college application season for fall 2017 admissions is drawing to a close. Students are in a frenzied rush to submit all required paperwork in the next few days so that guidance counselors can then forward student transcripts to colleges prior to Dec. 23. 

Annual fundraisers and charity events are in full swing, with Lawrence High School hosting and participating in a myriad of events. 

On Thanksgiving the anti-poverty think tank “Rock and Wrap It Up!” hosted its 26th annual year holiday feast. Founded by Cedarhurst resident Syd Mandelbaum, this joyous event took place on from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. John Baptist Church in Rockaway Beach. It has become a heartwarming tradition that current Lawrence students, faculty and alumni gather every year at the church in an effort to make every person in the community feel wanted, welcome and well fed on Thanksgiving. 

Volunteers were continuously kept busy, manned their assigned stations, served a sumptuous turkey-and-all-the-trimmings feast to hundreds, set the tables, took individual and family orders, packaged meals to go, served seconds to all who wanted more, and spoke with all who came. At the event’s end, it was difficult to discern who felt more grateful: the dozens of volunteers who had cooked and served, or the hundreds of people who were able to share food and conversation with their families and neighbors on this most American of holidays. 

Six days later, this year’s “Disney Fundraiser Night” was held at Panera Bread in the Bay Harbour Mall in Lawrence. Because of their amazing musical and dance acumen, all Lawrence High music department students — including dance, marching band, orchestra and band members — have a standing invitation to perform every two years at various parades and bandstands at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Making the trip to Florida with teachers and parental chaperones, and being able to perform with your friends for the tourist crowds at Disney is easily one of the most treasured experiences of a Lawrence High school student’s life. About 230 students are slated to go to Disney this March, and no student who wishes to attend is ever left behind for lack of funds. To this end, a percentage of all meals bought at Panera between 4 and 8 p.m. by patrons holding a music department flyer was donated towards offsetting the price of the Disney trip. Performances from the school’s honors string ensemble, band and chorus were showcased for the public in the entry foyer of the café. The fundraising event was an outstanding success, drawing hundreds of supporters to Panera that night.  

The high school is hosting Maria’s Toys for Tots this entire month. The student government, along with Maria Pullela, is collecting brand new toys and stuffed animals to be donated to children in local hospitals during this holiday season. New toys of any type will gladly be accepted and deeply appreciated. 

Wishing all Nassau Herald readers and their families a safe and joyous holiday season, with many blessings and reasons to give thanks in 2017!