Christmas trees have been standing across campus, decorated with ornaments, garlands and bright ribbons placed along main walkways as students walk between passing periods. One tree sits beside the Bulldog statue in the quad and has become a spot where people stop and look during nutrition. The decorations appeared Dec. 1 and have remained in place during the weeks leading up to winter break.
The setup is part of ASB’s yearly Winter Wonderland tradition.
“Usually we call it Winter Wonderland where we decorate the school. On Monday morning before everybody came to school, we came to set up Christmas trees, bows and garlands. We also planned to put ornaments in the teachers’ classrooms too,” ASB adviser Christine Vo said.
Decorations were placed after Thanksgiving break before students returned and created an immediate change to the atmosphere during passing periods and nutrition.
Vo confirmed that the goal behind the trees is to bring a positive environment to students during a time when school can become stressful.
“We came before everyone arrived to set up Christmas trees, bows and garlands and we plan to decorate some classrooms as well,” Vo said.
The trees are placed around campus, with one on the opposite side near the health office. The setup gives students another thing to notice as they move around campus. The decorations bring students something bright and festive and slow down the rush between classes.
Vo added that the decorations are both practical and symbolic, aiming to boost the campus spirit.
“The goal is to make students smile when they walk through campus. Just seeing a tree or some decorations can brighten someone’s day, even for a moment,” Vo said.
The decorations were put up to support Vo’s goal of creating a positive environment during a stressful time of the school year. The trees help make the campus feel more welcoming, giving students something cheerful to notice as they move between classes. Even small decorations can brighten a student’s day, and for those who may be stressed, tired or having a difficult day, the festive trees serve as a small reminder that the school is a welcoming place and that moments of joy can be found in everyday routines.
Principal Charles Park said some of the office trees appeared without clear explanation of their origins, leaving it unclear who put them there.
“I think there’s someone who actually puts up new trees every year…I think it is the counselors but if you ask them they will deny it. It is like the rule in the movie fight club where you cannot talk about it,” Park said.
He also pointed out how the trees contribute to a positive campus atmosphere.
“They bring a sense of joy to campus that students and staff can feel, even if they don’t know who put them up,” Park said.
The mystery behind the trees has added a fun element to the holiday decorations while still providing a meaningful experience for students. Some of the trees were placed without any announcement or clear explanation. Details like the quietly placed trees help shape the seasonal feel of the school during December.
Another part of the campus also received a festive update, this time directly from the front office. Although it is not the “secretive fight club” Park joked about, the uncertainty around the office trees set them apart from the rest of the decorations.
School office assistant Gabriela Quintana confirmed that she was the one who placed and decorated the tree inside the office.
“I feel like it brings joy to the office for anybody who’s here,” Quintana said.
In a space where students often come with questions or concerns, the tree takes on a different meaning. It’s meant to make the space feel welcoming for students and visitors who may be stressed or in need of support during the day.
“The purpose is to make people feel good. Maybe sometimes folks don’t have that same holiday cheer at home, and even if it’s for just a little bit when they’re passing by, they can feel good,” Quintana said.
She placed the tree over Thanksgiving break, adding to the decorations that appeared as students returned for the final weeks of the semester. Even though she did not know who put up the other office trees Park mentioned, her effort added to the warm and cheerful atmosphere spreading across campus.
The Winter Wonderland setup shows the effort staff and students put into making the campus feel welcoming. The trees are expected to stay up through December, remaining visible across campus and in office areas as the semester comes to an end.
