TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Feliz Navidad - Club Brings Holiday To Corr

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

GIBSONTON - As children across the country fill out their holiday wish lists, one group of high school students remembered that Christmas is also a time for giving.

On Dec. 7, the Riverview High School Spanish Club brought Christmas joy to 49 students in Corr Elementary's English Language Learners program. Eleven of the kids come from migrant families.

"We feel it's important to help out these young kids who are not as fortunate as we are," said Sthelyn Romero, a senior at Riverview High School.

During the visit, between 9:15 and 10:30 a.m., the group of about 20 Riverview students performed several Christmas songs and a holiday-themed play - stressing the importance of helping others - for the Corr students.

"Here at Corr, we stress community service in all grade levels," said Terri Faerber, assistant principal. "It's truly wonderful for them to see older kids setting such a good example."

The Riverview students also came bearing gifts.

"We talk to the school that we're going to visit beforehand each year and ask them to identify the kids that are most in need," said Maria Parrilla, a Riverview High School teacher who accompanied the club on its trip. "They get the kids to write a list of toys they'd like to have, and we do our best to get them what's on the list.

"We make sure that every child gets at least one present."

Though the club has been making Christmas trips for the past six years - including visits to Wimauma Elementary - this is the first year the Riverview students have visited Corr.

"Every member in the club sort of adopts one of the kids and we try to get them specifically what they asked for," said Dianne Gonzalez, a senior and president of the club. "This is so much fun and I love how excited the kids get."

That excitement probably reached its peak when Santa Claus - played by Riverview alumnus Roger Lugo - handed out the presents.

"This is one of the best things the club does all year," Parrilla said. "We're already looking forward to next time."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT