On December 17, the Hudson Scholars club hosted a potluck style holiday party in the Lindsay Room for sixteen students from the local public school and their families. The holiday party was made possible by senior dean David Sykes, sophomore Amy Chalan, and senior Roya Wolfe, and included team building activities, caroling, and gift giving.

The celebration kicked off with holiday-themed activities for the sixth graders and their siblings. The scholars separated into teams and decorated sugar cookies, Christmas ornaments, made gingerbread houses, and wrote New Year’s resolutions. The sugar cookies, baked by volunteers, were decorated with icing and sprinkles and given to the parents. The kids wrote messages dedicated to their parents on ornaments with metallic Sharpies. Freshmen volunteer Max Rosenblum said, “Running the gingerbread station was great because it gave the kids in each group the opportunity to work together as a team and be very hands on at the same time.”

With the help of Mr. Sykes, the scholars wrote their academic and social resolutions for the new year. Since the program started last summer, one tradition has been to gather in a circle with volunteers and share experiences. At the holiday party, the scholars gathered again to share their New Year’s Resolutions.

The scholars also wrote their academic and social resolutions for the new year. Since the program started last summer, one tradition has been to gather in a circle with volunteers and share experiences. At the holiday party, the scholars gathered again to share their New Year’s resolutions. Sixth grader and scholar John Pasado said,” My New Year’s resolution is to be a better brother.”

The families of the Hudson Scholars and volunteers brought food and dessert for the potluck-style celebration. The scholars and volunteers sat together during dinner and bonded over their common interests.

In addition to the team building activities, senior Izzy Ampil used her musical talents to bring the families together with holiday cheer. She accompanied the scholars and volunteers in singing holiday songs such as “Frosty the Snowman,” “Feliz Navidad,” and “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

As the celebration was coming to a close, the volunteers surprised the students and their siblings with Christmas gifts. Senior Jordan Schwartz said, “I’m really grateful for the experience to have fun with these kids and give back to the community. It was amazing to see their faces light up as we surprised them with gifts.”

The Hudson Scholars club hopes to continue to foster a relationship with the sixteen scholars and the community in Tarrytown in the future.