Students, faculty and staff at Monsignor Edward Pace High School returned from the Thanksgiving holiday prepared to celebrate the Christmas season in a big way. In late November, the campus began setting up festive Christmas trees, garland and Nativity scenes as students took great pride in spreading holiday cheer across various events held both on and off campus.
On December 8, the school celebrated a mass in celebration of the feast day of the Immaculate Conception, reminding students of the Virgin Mary’s willingness to accept God’s plans for her. Other Christmas activities on campus included the lighting of advent candles at the beginning of each week as students were reminded to reflect on the significance of the season. Students were even given a special performance during their lunch periods where Pace Fine Arts Department presented the story of the Nativity.
Students went on to enjoy holiday song lip synching contents, a tacky sweater day and other friendly competitions among the four grade levels. Pace employees were invited to bring their own children and grandchildren to the annual Tykes Christmas Party where Pace families had the opportunity to participate in fun crafts, enjoy Christmas treats and even meet and receive special presents from Santa.
But perhaps the most impactful event that the Spartans participated in during the Christmas season was NBC6’s Caravan of Joy toy drive. Members of Pace’s Drama Club, Leadership, Health and Medical Society, National Honor Society, SGA, Science National Honor Society and Spartan Ambassador Society collected over 600 unwrapped toys for families in need across South Florida.
This is the seventh year Pace has participated in the event which culminated in a live television morning broadcast on December 15. Throughout the morning, Pace’s Spartans in Harmony choir sang traditional Christmas carols while live on air with NBC 6’s Roxanna Vargas, who is a 2002 Pace High School alumni and the current host of the popular “6 In the Mix” daily lifestyle show.
The Spartans were delighted to spread the spirit of the season both on and off campus and are excited to welcome the New Year with more opportunities to lend a hand to their local community.