Thanks to the Gael Givers, a group of GAEL newcomer students, each student and staff at Cathedral High School received a candy cane with a personalized greeting on December 19.
Over 1400 personalized candy canes were delivered during period 1. A simple gesture, the personalized candy cane was meant to deliver more than just a sweet treat.... it was a reminder that everyone is important at CHS.
Grade 11 student Danait Mulugeta Haish volunteered to be the group’s spokesperson on the morning announcements. Surrounded by other newcomers, Danait said the group felt it was an important way of showing appreciation to the CHS community.
"Even though I don't know everyone in the school, this is a way of thanking them for their warm welcome," said Danait, who was born in Eritrea and started at CHS last year.
"Mrs. Mariella asked for volunteers to go on the morning announcements to explain the campaign. At first, I was a little embarrassed because English is not my first language. I felt really nervous and even though I messed up some words, teachers and other students told me that I did a really good job.”
It meant a lot, added Danait, because it reminded her that everyone makes mistakes.
”Other students even told me about some of their embarrassing mistakes. In the end, I was actually glad that I went on the announcements. It was a good experience."
Commending Danait for her presentation, Head of Student Services Marisa Mariella noted, “One could only imagine the courage needed for anyone to take on this leadership role in front of the whole school in a language that they are just learning.”
More than 50 students helped in completing the tags.
“They all agreed that it made them feel great to be part of the school and to see so many smiling faces when they handed out the candy canes,” said Mariella.
Special thanks to Tiffany Rushing, Human Resource Manager from Karma Candy and Kayla Hicks for their generous donation and to the entire CHS community for helping the Gael Givers with their transition into a new school and country.
For more information, please see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh8-b-SH13 ... .