Students’ wishes granted at Atwater High holiday event

Christmas is one of Gianna Guillen’s favorite times of the year, and a chance to give others gifts made this holiday extra special for her.

Guillen, a senior at Atwater High School, is student body vice president and one of the 66 leadership students who spearheaded the Dec. 5 “Miracles Do Happen” program at the school. The combined efforts of students, teachers, staff members and the community resulted in 144 wishes being fulfilled.

“Seeing the faces and the expressions when wishes were granted, the look of joy and relief was just incredible,” Guillen said. “It was an incredible, humbling experience.”

Guillen said she likes the whole holiday spirit and enjoys spending time with her family and the traditions they have made. She likes Christmas and not just getting presents but also giving them.

Nathan Braga, Atwater High student activities director, said organizers of the two rallies where $17,000 worth of donations were dispersed critiqued the event afterward and nothing negative came up. This was the second year the wishes rallies were held.

“It was all positive,” Braga said. “It was a great day.”

Braga said a grave headstone and burial plot were purchased for a student whose father died recently. The mother of another student was having trouble with her prosthetic leg and a new one was provided.

All 1,800 students had a chance to make a wish. Rally organizers looked at each wish and leaned towards those who wanted things for others, Braga said. They did the best they could to honor as many wishes as possible and favored deserving students who had no discipline problems or other issues, he added.

In several instances, students and their families were treated with admission to major theme parks in California. One freshman student confided to his teachers he had never been anywhere. Teachers saw to it that the student was given a gasoline card and tickets for the family to Disneyland.

Guillen wanted to thank the school staff, students and the community for their help, saying she is very grateful for all they donated to make others’ wishes come true.

Students and staff at Buhach Colony, Merced and Golden Valley high schools all held their own versions of making holiday wishes comes true in early December. The events were spearheaded by leadership students at each campus and donations of community individuals and businesses.

This story was originally published December 19, 2014 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Students’ wishes granted at Atwater High holiday event."