This December, the pendulum area in South Windsor High School will be filled with holiday spirit as students and staff come together to celebrate the major holidays coming up. Kwanzaa, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas.
The display highlights the traditions, symbols, and details that would make these holidays so special to a person. The ultimate goal of creating this showcase is to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity that thrives so much at South Windsor High School.
Each table in the showcase is dedicated to one holiday, which allows everyone walking by to learn something new. The Diwali table is immediately noticeable with its bright colors. Since Diwali is known as the “Festival of Lights,” the display includes a variety of vibrant lights and a candle to symbolize light over darkness. These elements reflect the joy, renewal, and positivity that Diwali brings.
Right next to it is the Hanukkah table. This one features a menorah and dreidel, which are two really important symbols of the Jewish holiday. The menorah represents the eight nights of Hanukkah, and the dreidels are part of a traditional game played during the celebration.
The third table is dedicated to Kwanzaa; they have symbols like the Kinara which holds seven candles, one black candle for unity, three red candles for struggle, and three green candles for hope & future. Representing this is a really meaningful and important part of the showcase.
Finally, there’s the Christmas table. It has decorated Christmas trees, wrapped presents, and even a gingerbread house. This display captures the festive spirit and traditional feel to make it look like a winter wonderland.
“It really brightens up the hallways and is very festive which I enjoy,” senior Charlie Laramee says, who was admiring the showcase during passing time.
This great display was created by The National Honor Society and the advisor Mrs. Leony is extremely proud of her members for putting together something so special to other students.
“Decorating the pendulum helps bring holiday spirit to our school,” National Honor Society member, Jillan Yelle said.
If you’re walking down the hallway and see this festive display, don’t just walk past it—stop and check it out. It’s fun to look at and full of holiday spirit, and you might even learn something new while you’re looking. With all the colors and decorations, it’s a great way to get into the holiday mood during the school day.
