Elves bring gifts to Valley Head Elementary
Davis & Elkins College student Sonja Skinner watches happily as Matthew, a student at Valley Head Elementary School, opens his first gift from Santa’s helpers who delivered packages to the school on Thursday.
Talyn, a student at Valley Head Elementary School, is overjoyed by the gifts from Santa’s elves as she begins to show Davis & Elkins College’s first lady, Lisa Wood, what she received.
Davis & Elkins College student Sonja Skinner watches happily as Matthew, a student at Valley Head Elementary School, opens his first gift from Santa’s helpers who delivered packages to the school on Thursday.
Talyn, a student at Valley Head Elementary School, is overjoyed by the gifts from Santa’s elves as she begins to show Davis & Elkins College’s first lady, Lisa Wood, what she received.
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VALLEY HEAD -- Children's eyes were filled with joy and excitement Thursday at Valley Head Elementary School when students were surprised to see Santa's helpers had visited their school with an abundance of gifts.
Just like Santa's elves do year-round, in coordination with the student assembly at Davis & Elkins College, campus offices and organizations worked to make Christmas special for students at Valley Head Elementary.
"Every semester, the Student Assembly of Davis & Elkins College has organizations on campus do community service to support the mission of the institution -- to prepare and inspire students for success and thoughtful engagement in the world," said Davis & Elkins College Student Assembly President Mary Jane Braham.
"This semester, the Assembly decided to do a project of its own. Student Assembly and the offices from across campus are happy to be able to support the students of Valley Head Elementary School during this Christmas season," she said.
Administrators at Valley Head Elementary have worked with organizations in the community for several years to provide their students with something extra special during the holidays.
This year, each of the 25 students at Valley Head Elementary School were asked to make a wish list that included three items they hoped to receive for Christmas.
In addition to the three items, each child received a brand new winter coat from the groups from D&E who took part in the special surprise for the students.
"It has been a humbling experience, to say the least, because a lot of our kids don't get everything that they want, so we try to make sure that they do," said Valley Head Elementary Principal Melissa Wilfong.
Wilfong explained the secret Santa celebration at Valley Head has been going on for three years and that each year a different group from the community has worked with the school to make Christmas extra special for the students.
"Traveling around to the county schools the week of the 80th Mountain State Forest Festival was a memorable experience, one that I will cherish for the rest of my life," said Davis & Elkins College Vice President for Student Affairs Scott D. Goddard.
"Walking out of Valley Head Elementary School, after spending time with the students and staff, I gave a look to Kimberly Alvarez, mother of Queen Silvia. Kim gave me a look and a nod back in return. Without saying a word to each other, we had the same thoughts. Both of us wondered what we could do to help. The Secret Santa Project seemed like the perfect way to give back."
Among the group of Senators who helped to make magic happen for the students at Valley Head was the the family of D&E President Chris Wood. The first lady of Davis & Elkins College, Lisa Wood, traveled to Valley Head to help deliver gifts to students and enjoy time spent talking to children as they excitedly opened their gifts.
"There is also another layer to this," Goddard said. "It touches my heart and my own childhood experience. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, I attended the R. K. Mellon Elementary School in the Ligonier Valley School District. Every holiday season, the Mellon Family would provide a special gift for every student of the school. By doing so, the Mellon Family had a positive impact on my childhood. We hope to have the same impact in the lives of the students that attend Valley Head Elementary School."
Falicity Wallace, a former student at Valley Head Elementary School and current student at D&E, said she was proud of her school for becoming involved and helping to make this Christmas one to remember for students at Valley Head.
"I think that today made a great impact on the students, especially the ones that may be going through a hard time right now," Wallace said. "It was awesome to go out and do this."
The college students who traveled to Valley Head on Thursday said they were happy to give to children in the area during any season because they see themselves as part of the Randolph County community, which they believe comes together for others.
"We are all very blessed and thankful for the opportunity to support these young people in the community that continually supports us," Braham said. "We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"