12/22/2009 3:18:00 PM Hopi JROTC, Santa deliver gifts to Hopi students
By Cadet 1st Lieutenant Candice Tso Special to the Observer
With all the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, gift-wrapping and mall cruising, students from Hopi Junior Senior High School paused to give back to their community.
In an economy which seems to be facing an uphill battle throughout the nation with job losses, school budget cuts, and banking issues, the Bruin Battalion still marched through it all and delivered toys on their Fifth Annual "Toys4Cadet Drive and Delivery."
Although there are a total of eight schools in the community, this year's deliveries were cut back to three.
However, the students did their best in bringing in toys and delivering them to the smiling, cheerful top students at each school. The kids this year were a little hesitant when they first saw the cadets in uniform; they thought they were there to give them vaccination shots.
Those doubts quickly turned to smiles when the big guy in the red suit appeared and passed out gifts to those who were selected.
"It was fun and exciting. I liked seeing the kid's faces light up when they saw Santa," said First year cadet Sheldon Nanacasia.
"It was pretty good to see little kids happy for getting Christmas presents when they don't aren't able to get them," said Cadet Captain Samantha Manycows.
Manycows added, "It makes me wish I still got Christmas presents back in my day."
"It was okay seeing little kids. I was happy giving them presents and it was fun," said Cadet Brandi Navenma.
Overall, the event was a success and the cadets will begin collecting toys for next year's drive a little earlier, perhaps in September or early October. The Hopi JROTC wants to thank all those who donated and for your support in all we do as we prepare for our Fourth Annual Hopi2Hawaii trip in January.
A powwow will be held on Jan. 2, at Seba Dalkai Elementary School. There are also still Phoenix Suns tickets for sale for the March 6, 2010 game where the color guard will be posting colors. For information on any of these events call (928) 738-5111, ext. 243 or 272.
