On December 13, 2013, Padua Academy’s annual tree trimming ceremony took place. As usual, the ceremony was done in the cafeteria with the whole student body involved. Each grade had its own unique part in the ritual. The cafeteria was filled with Christmas spirit and joy. Padua continues to do this tradition, as well as the students continue to be merry and full of excitement during the Christmas season. Like senior Brittany Conner says, “I love the tree trimming ceremony. It really allows the Padua community to take a step back from all the stress and focus on getting in the Christmas spirit!”
The student council announced and spoke during the beginning of the ceremony. A snowflake represented the freshman class. This symbol was to show how unique and special we all are because we are all different “snowflakes.” They united as a whole as they sang the classical song, “Let it Snow.” As the song went on, the fourteen homeroom representatives placed hand crafted snowflake ornaments. The sophomore class was symbolized as sleighs because they have moved on from freshman year and are beginning to drive. They are now no longer the youngest in the school and have experience. They sang “Jingle Bells”, while the homeroom representatives placed their decorated ornaments onto the tree. The junior class went next, hanging their snow globe ornaments and singing with Christmas cheer. Their holiday song was “Winter Wonderland.” The seniors designated ornament was a snowman, to show the three years, layers of a snowman, that have already passed during their Padua Academy experience. Their classroom representatives hung snowman ornaments, as their sisters sang “Frosty the Snowman.” Then, the staff members hung their ornaments of gifts and sang, “It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas.” Finally, the tree trimming ceremony ended with the Padua and Sallies choir singing various Christmas-themed numbers. The student body listened and enjoyed the 2013 ceremony, getting into the spirit of Christmas.