The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake Catholic throws a party
Lake Catholic host annual Christmas party for Broadmoor students
For over 25 years, Lake Catholic High School seniors have hosted an annual Christmas party for Broadmoor School students, complete with games, crafts, food and a visit from Santa.
On Nov. 29, students teamed up once again to celebrate the season.
According to Broadmoor School Supervisor Mary Elshaw, the partnership between the high school and Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities has generated everything from friendships to special-education interest from Lake Catholic students.
“The partnership... is a long-standing and very valuable one within the community,” Elshaw said. “When everyone gets involved I think that everybody has a better time. So I think that it just brings out the best in everybody.”
Visiting Broadmoor students ranged in age from pre-school to early adulthood. They were paired up with Lake Catholic seniors, usually one-on-one, who led them through the gymnasium.
They were able to play games, make crafts, watch holiday movies, eat food and enjoy Christmas music played by a Lake Catholic student jazz ensemble.
“They look forward to it,” Elshaw said, concerning her students. “They know when we start the planning of it that it’s getting close to party time. And a lot of parents send the students in all kinds of festive outfits.
“Sometimes this party is the only holiday party that some of them will go to...,” she added. “Others, I think, go to many parties but this is definitely their favorite.”
Students of both schools occupied the gym in ugly sweaters and holidaythemed clothing to celebrate the holidays and take part in the range of activities. As the mother of a former Broadmoor student highlighted, there was something for each student at a particular stage of development.
According to Elshaw, one of the reasons this party is so valued is that the students get to have a peer in their community show them around and enjoy playing games and having lunch with them.
She said that it is a mutually beneficial experience for Lake Catholic and Broadmoor. High school volunteers have even shown interest in special education as a result of their experience.
“It introduces some of the Lake Catholic students to possibly getting involved in special education as something in their adult life,” Elshaw said. “We’ve had a lot of kids who’ve done this and then they call and say ‘how else can I serve?’... or ‘I’m going to college now for special ed, can I come back and visit?’”
She also commented that some Lake Catholic students that participated in a “Thanksgiving day of service” at Broadmoor expressed a desire to be involved with the Christmas party in order to see their Broadmoor friends again.
“I just think that it is a wonderful reminder that there is so much kindness in the community,” Elshaw said.
“This gives people an opportunity to show that and celebrate that.”
“I just think that it is a wonderful reminder that there is so much kindness in the community.”