MONROE - Duke Phillips likes getting to visit with his grandchildren during the annual Senior Citizen Holiday Party at the Monroe Middle School, a tradition going back more than two decades.
"It's just a nice treat the kids do for Christmas," Phillips said.
The middle school student council hosted 73 senior citizens at this year's party Friday. Members of the council rushed around the gym tending to guests with cookies and beverages and calling out bingo numbers. Caffeine was in no short supply as the students kept everyone's coffee cups full with 15 pots.
Student council advisors Meaghan McGuire, a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher, and Lisa Wunder, a physical education and health teacher, helped the students prepare invitations as well as food and drinks.
"It's the best event of the year," McGuire said. "Seeing the kids interact with the community and seeing how good they are socializing with everyone, that's probably the best part."
The party in the past has always been held in the library media center, but due to the large crowd they've been drawing for the party the last few years, organizers decided to move it to the gym for more space. They also changed the event from early afternoon to the morning to better accommodate schedules.
"My favorite part," said Marissa Vosberg, one of the student council members volunteering at the party, "is probably seeing how happy they are at the end and how much they enjoy it."
The last half of the party included performances by the middle school band and choir, and everyone joined in for Christmas carols. The student council decorated ornaments for the guests to take as they left.
"It's just a nice treat the kids do for Christmas," Phillips said.
The middle school student council hosted 73 senior citizens at this year's party Friday. Members of the council rushed around the gym tending to guests with cookies and beverages and calling out bingo numbers. Caffeine was in no short supply as the students kept everyone's coffee cups full with 15 pots.
Student council advisors Meaghan McGuire, a seventh- and eighth-grade science teacher, and Lisa Wunder, a physical education and health teacher, helped the students prepare invitations as well as food and drinks.
"It's the best event of the year," McGuire said. "Seeing the kids interact with the community and seeing how good they are socializing with everyone, that's probably the best part."
The party in the past has always been held in the library media center, but due to the large crowd they've been drawing for the party the last few years, organizers decided to move it to the gym for more space. They also changed the event from early afternoon to the morning to better accommodate schedules.
"My favorite part," said Marissa Vosberg, one of the student council members volunteering at the party, "is probably seeing how happy they are at the end and how much they enjoy it."
The last half of the party included performances by the middle school band and choir, and everyone joined in for Christmas carols. The student council decorated ornaments for the guests to take as they left.