Jonathon Chen and Deborah Brug spin cotton candy for guests. Courtesy photo
Deborah Brug, Jonathon Chen, Rafaela Rocha, and Lucia Rudin prepare to load the school Suburban with cotton candy machinery. Courtesy photo
Rafaela Rocha and Lucia Rudin show foster children how to make gingerbread houses (the children’s faces are obscured per CYFD policy). Courtesy photo
BY MORRIE PONGRATZ
What does a Los Alamos High School (LAHS) student do after finishing final exams? For five Key Clubbers, the answer was simple – help bring holiday cheer to foster children.
Last Friday, Key Club members volunteered at the Foster Children Christmas Party hosted by the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) at the Cities of Gold Hotel. CYFD’s Michelle Valdez invited the club to bring their cotton candy machine to add sweetness to the celebration.
The event wasn’t without its challenges. Both Key Club’s president and faculty advisor were home sick. But Jonathon Chen, Lieutenant Governor for the Southwest District of Key Club, stepped up. Jonathon chaired a meeting in the president’s absence, presented the invitation, and rallied the club to accept. Vice-President Deborah Brug and board member JoyMei Lincoln led efforts to recruit volunteers.
Coordinating transportation became the next hurdle. With their advisor out, Jonathon turned to Colleen Swavely from the LAHS Activities Office, who helped distribute the necessary parental permission forms. Once completed, Morrie Pongratz, Key Club’s Kiwanis Advisor, volunteered to drive the students to the event.
On the day of the party, the students gathered in the school Suburban and packed the cotton candy machine and gingerbread house materials into a Suburban and headed to the hotel. Upon arrival, Ms. Valdez had set aside space for the cotton candy station and a table where the students helped foster children build gingerbread houses.
The party was a hit. Smiles filled the room as Key Clubbers spun cotton candy and children created festive gingerbread houses. Lucia Rudin, a Key Club volunteer, shared,
“The event had such a cheerful energy. It was a fun afternoon and experience.” Rafaela
Rocha added, “I really enjoyed being part of the community and seeing how much the
kids loved the activities.”
By 6:30 p.m., the students packed up and returned to Los Alamos, tired but happy. Their efforts brought joy to local foster children and underscored the impact of community service.
Through leadership, teamwork, and a little cotton candy, the LAHS Key Club made the holidays brighter for those who needed it most.