The WMHS gymnasium was full of cheer Friday Dec. 21, in an assembly that sent off students and staff into vacation. 

There was no dull moment. The assembly opened with Principal Charles Lomonte and the annual “Points of Light," sponsored by the student council. This event provides an opportunity for students and staff to help people in the community who are struggling to get through their holiday season.

Every year around this time, the student council sets up a tree on the wall in the front office. The tree has tags with different gifts named on each one. Anyone can pick a tag off of the tree to buy that gift, and then bring it to the school to be distributed to families in need throughout the community. Student council advisor Deb Pooler said “Today’s assembly is a true reflection of the new positive school climate here at WMHS! It is once again a great place to be for students and staff!”

The assembly also featured Lomonte and Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood singing "Jingle Bell Rock" to the student audience. This performance created many smiles and laughs, and plenty of student involvement. The WMHS chorus also performed a few carols for students and staff to sing along with.

Many competitions also took place to keep students drawn in, such as the traditional WMHS tug of war, and the competition of which grade can be the loudest while chanting “We are small but we are mighty!” led by Pooler. Announcements were also made on the winners of school-wide competitions, including the “ugliest” Holiday Sweater competition and the battle of the boards. 

When asked his thoughts on the sense of community throughout the school, student council president Matt Chapman said, "This is one of the biggest turnouts we have had for people contributing to the Points of Light This really shows how much the students care about others within the community and how much they value community service as a whole. The assembly today ran perfectly because not only were the staff involved, but also almost the entire student body was represented."

Also getting into the holiday spirit of giving were special education staff member Deb Melanson and her students. The Life Skills class raised $220 for the Lincoln County “Toys for Tots” program to ensure a Merry Christmas for needy children in the area. They proudly accomplished this goal through their weekly “Karma Cart," a donation-based goody cart that is shared with staff members. 

Melanson said, “This was by far one of my proudest moments as a special education teacher. Watching my students anxiously ... making lists of potential items and carefully calculating the costs ... was somewhat bittersweet to me. They unselfishly put their own desires aside, to ensure that other children would have a Merry Christmas." 

The students involved in this great project are Isaiah DeCosta, Addie McInnis, Amathyst Bisson, Caden McInnis, Tyler Williams, Zack Mank and Xavier Poissoniere.