Seniors spread joy through Christmas on Campus event

Christmas on Campus is a long-standing tradition for seniors at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School.

One of two senior service projects, Christmas on Campus is an outreach event for children at local elementary schools. The young students in kindergarten and first grade come to VASJ’s campus and participate in a variety of Christmas activities, all coordinated and executed by the senior class.

It is something the students at VASJ look forward to being a part of from the time they enter as freshmen.

Chelsea Curtis ‘16, however, has been anxious to be a part of Christmas on Campus for much longer.

“I was so excited for Christmas on Campus because I came here for it ten years ago,” Chelsea says.

Chelsea came to VASJ for Christmas on Campus when she was in first grade at St. Mary’s. It was a very special day and something she still remembers in great detail -- right down to the bowling set she received as her gift that day.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is so cool,’’ she says.

When it was finally her turn to be a part of the event as a senior, she had extra incentive to make sure the day would be just as special for the young children attending as it was for her ten years ago.

Chelsea, along with classmates and fellow Peer Ministers Autumn Johnson and Destiny Dean, helped coordinate and execute the event and in the process, learned that much more goes into the event than meets the eye.

Senior Peer Ministers Destiny Dean, Autumn Johnson and Chelsea Curtis
took the lead on planning and executing this year's Christmas on Campus event. 

“Setting up, building the crafts and having to build this whole event was really stressful,” Destiny says. “All of our work paid off once we got there and could relax. We treated [the kids] as if they were our little siblings. We made sure the kids felt comfortable with us and we really made them feel like the day was about them. I’m pretty sure a lot of them left here really happy and feeling like they had family here.”

Each of the young students who attend Christmas on Campus is paired with a VASJ senior, their “buddy” for the day.

VASJ senior Rachel Smith enjoys a moment with her "buddy" during Christmas on Campus. 

Chelsea remembers this being one of the most special parts of her day as a young child and was eager to have a buddy of her own.

“I had this emotional connection to Christmas on Campus. To actually be there helping with your own buddy and them looking up at you and being so happy and smiling was just a great feeling.”

Christmas on Campus is equally rewarding for the seniors involved. During their busy senior year, it is a chance to slow down and gain some perspective.

“Sometimes you get so absorbed in what you’re doing in your life that you never realize what is going on in other people’s lives,” Autumn says. “It makes you realize there is so much more you could be doing. One little thing can change a kid’s world.”

Thanks to the hard work of Chelsea, Destiny, and Autumn, as well as all the seniors and juniors who helped with the event, this year's Christmas on Campus was a great day for all involved.

The young children left VASJ with gifts and crafts, bellies full of pizza, hearts filled with Christmas joy and great memories.

“[My buddy] may not remember my name but she’ll always have that memory and she’ll always know that there are people out there who care,” Chelsea says.

Chelsea knows from experience, it will be a day the young children will remember for years to come.