Deck the Halls Lifts Holiday Spirits

Huntington High School students are catching the holiday spirit as dozens of teenagers spent hours after school late last week decorating first and second floor hallways to help create a festive atmosphere in the building.

Deck the Halls is a student government inspired event to spread the spirit and joy of the season throughout the building. Class and school-wide officers planned how they wanted to go about developing four focused displays in hallways – one each for the Class of 2026, Class of 2027, Class of 2027 and Class of 2029.

“Deck the Halls went well,” senior Ruby Hoffman said. “We had a good turnout of people helping us in the beginning and I think our theme turned out well. We did the Polar Express.”

All students were invited to participate in creating the displays and to have the theme of their display spill down their assigned hallway. Huntington High School PTSA provided desserts and refreshments, including hot chocolate.

“Unfortunately, I was unable to be there due to a previously scheduled appointment, but I spoke to most of the [student government] officers and everyone agrees it was a spectacular event,” Student Government President Katie Cocoman said. “All of the classes have been working so hard these past few weeks and it really showed in their hall. The freshmen did an amazing job for their very first deck the halls.”

Student leaders on each grade level met earlier to plan for the event and to gather the materials needed. “It was great,” junior Alexandra Boeckmann said. “The juniors did a New Year’s ball drop theme this year.”

Organizers hope the displays provide holiday cheer for everyone in the building. Faculty and staff are voting online to determine which of the four displays wins a first place prize. Categories include creativity, neatness, originality and spirit.

“It went great,” senior Carly Gallagher said. “It was amazing seeing everyone for our last hurrah.”