Santa and the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Elves Drop by Hall-Woodward Elementary

Jamarion Jones Visits with Santa

On Wednesday, Santa and four elves visited Hall-Woodward Elementary School. With the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students, Santa stepped unannounced into their classrooms. Each time, his arrival created a sensation. Smiles exploded on children’s faces. “Woo-hoo-hoo!” called out one little girl.

Santa created a second wave of excitement when he told the children that they could open the gift-wrapped books he was handing out right this very instant. Not quite able to believe their good fortune at being invited to open a present this very second - Wow! - some would ask again just to make sure.

Paper would shred. Wonderful books would be revealed. And then, in a swirl of red velvet, Santa would be off to the next classroom. Make sure to keep an eye out for the cookies and milk he would be leaving out for him, one boy called.

“Santa, I love you!” called out another boy.

Santa turned back and said, “I love you, too.”

Carlos Hernandez-Mendoza gives Santa a hug

Moments such as that made Santa’s visit to a holiday gift to the adults as well as the children. “That will keep a smile on my face for the rest of the week,” said Andrea Howell, one of the elves.  

With the first- and second-graders, Santa set up shop in a rocking chair and let the students come to him one at a time. Second-grader Jamarion Jones knew who Santa was, of course, but he had never been so close. “It was my first time on his lap,” Jamarion said afterward. “I was nervous.”

When it was second-grader Carlos Hernandez-Mondoza’s turn, he gave Santa a gift. He stepped back and sang “Feliz Navidad.” After finishing the final line, “I want to wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart,” he gave Santa a hug.

Santa’s visit came courtesy of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, which has a close relationship with Hall-Woodward. “They support us in so many ways,” said Principal Celena Tribby.

Throughout the school year, volunteers from the chamber come to tutor students, and, at the holidays, elves from the chamber accompany Santa for a visit. This year, Santa was Cliff Snider, who has been portraying Santa for years, and the elf contingent included chamber employees Howell, Jennifer Cobb, Tina Long and Angela Breathette.

After their visit with Santa, students waited for the rest of the students in their class to have their turn with him. “This will be the buzz for the rest of the afternoon,” said Virginia Hill, who teaches second grade. “They are beaming from ear to ear.”

While the students visited with Santa, some of the adults talked about what they would ask Santa for if given the chance.

“I would just ask Santa that he would give all these children a safe and wonder-filled Christmas,” said Susan Paschal, the curriculum coordinator for kindergarten through second grade.

Tribby’s wish: “To give all of my children the opportunities they deserve.”

Others’ wishes were along the same lines. If, by any chance, Santa had a leftover wish sitting around after taking care of the students, second-grade teacher Rachel Harris would be delighted to have him pay off the mortgage on her house. And teacher assistant Darlene McCracken grabbed a moment with Santa to ask whatever happened to that pony she had asked for as a girl.  

When it was time to go, Santa passed by some fourth-graders as he walked toward the front door of the school. A couple of them wondered aloud whether he was going to get into a car and drive away or climb into his sleigh. Tribby invited them to join her at the front of the school to see for themselves.

Mystery solved. He climbed into a PT Cruiser. As Santa drove past the school, he lowered the window and waved to the students.