Winter Wonderland was first started in 2019 by Assistant Principal, Ms. Zacko, to help seniors stay on track during the overwhelming and stressful process of applying to college. This year Francis Lewis High School held their fourth annual Winter Wonderland for the class of 2024, which sadly was also Ms. Zacko’s last, as she will be retiring at the end of the school year.
To sign up to attend Winter Wonderland, seniors had to submit a google form showing proof of their plans after high school (such as a screenshot of submitted college or trade school applications, etc) as well as proof showing that they have created an account for financial aid (FAFSA, DREAM, etc.). After submitting the google form, seniors were assigned a date and time to go to the auditorium to pick up their silver Winter Wonderland wristbands which allowed them entry to the event.
Winter Wonderland was held in the beautifully decorated courtyard of Francis Lewis High School at 4:30pm on December 13. Snowflake banners were hung up around the courtyard as well as multiple inflated snowmen and even a Hanukkah bear holding a dreidel, for students to be able to take pictures with their friends. There was even the couch from the hit tv show Friends as well as a backdrop that had the Central Perk logo plastered on it.
As soon as the seniors stepped out into the courtyard, a flurry of fake snow was blown into their direction as Dr. Marmor handed each of them a Hershey’s chocolate bar with a sticker reading “CLASS OF 2024 WINTER WONDERLAND” on it. About eight tables were set up all throughout the courtyard holding free snacks for our seniors including pizza, garlic bread, cookies, hot chocolate, and popcorn! Set up on the ground was a huge blue blanket for the seniors to sit on for the duration of the movie. Many seniors also brought their own blankets to stay warm.
Around 5:00 pm Principal Dr. Marmor started to raffle off prizes to the seniors. Their raffle numbers were written on their Winter Wonderland wristbands. Multiple things were raffled off including free senior prom tickets, free senior dues, polaroid cameras, blankets, and an iPad. Once the raffle was done they started to play the movie which was Frozen. The movie ended around 8:00 pm.
Although it was a bit cold outside, the food, hot chocolate, and amazing memories created is something that our seniors will cherish forever. The events that Francis Lewis puts on for their seniors allows them to create everlasting memories and have an amazing high school experience before going out into the real world.
