Student leaders at Pioneer Valley High School (PVHS) in Santa Maria organized Holiday Lights, a special drive-through event held on campus on Dec. 12. The event was designed to “give our community a place for the family to see holiday lights and celebrate the season with our PVHS family,” said Lisa Walters, the school’s Panther Activity director, in a press release.
More than 300 vehicles drove through the program, according to the release, and many visitors made donations to benefit local families of students enrolled at PVHS in need.
“There were so many donations to help out our PVHS families who have had a difficult 2020. I am touched by and so appreciative of our community,” Principal Shanda Herrera said in the release. “Seeing all of the lights and decorated trees brought smiles to so many people.”
The school’s student council and other volunteers helped decorate a large area of the PVHS campus with holiday lights, candy canes, and other festive items. There were also displays themed around classic Christmas movies, including Home Alone, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
“Our community really came together to help make the holidays better for those who have had a difficult time,” Rachel Ramos, leader of the Student Council Outreach Team, said.
For more updates from PVHS and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, visit smjuhsd.org.
This article appears in Dec 24-31, 2020.