College Christmas event draws large crowd
SWTJC hosted the fourth annual Christmas at the College event, which drew approximately two thousand attendees on Tuesday (Nov. 28) in Uvalde.
Derek Sandoval, vice president of administrative services who served as master of ceremonies for the evening, introduced Dr. Hector Gonzales, college president. Gonzales thanked everyone for showing their support and commented on the success of the event.
Gonzales went on to commend the numerous individuals who contributed to decorating the campus. College employees Ismael and Savanna Martinez and family received special recognition during the evening’s festivities for their hard work and the countless hours devoted to preparing the campus for the event.
Highlighting the evening’s festivities was the arrival of Santa Claus in a short parade with the participation of the Uvalde High School band, a float filled with SWTJC students from Powers & Kirchner Child Development Center (SWTJC Daycare), the Uvalde County 4-H Club and the SWTJC Law Enforcement Academy.
Santa was available throughout the evening for pictures; an estimated 600 children and adults took pictures with Santa Claus. Photos with Santa are available for download at swtjc.edu at no cost.
Local school choirs provided musical entertainment. Choirs included Knippa ISD Choir, directed by Tammie Brown; Robb Elementary School Choir, directed by Elaine Valenzuela; St. Phillips School Choir, directed by Becky
Other schools who participated were Flores School Choir, directed by Liza Elizondo; Sacred Heart Catholic School Choir, directed by Kassie Alejandro; and the Morales Junior High School Mariachi, directed by Veronica Ramirez.
The Uvalde High School Mariachi performed during Las Posadas later that evening.
Schools received a $200 donation from Southwest Texas Junior College as a token of appreciation for taking time to participate in the college event.
Shortly after the choir performances “Las Posadas” began, but not before Fernando Lombraña, Catholic club sponsor gave a brief description of the significance of the Christmas tradition.
The Las Posadas procession began in front of the Rodolfo R. & Dolores Flores Student Services Building and followed a route through the SWTJC campus, which ended at the MSC Ballroom for a dinner of tamales, rice, beans, and desserts. Children were treated to piñatas as part of the celebration.
The Christmas event is scheduled for Nov. 27, 2018.