Atwater High students grant wishes of peers, families

Tears flowed in a high school gym here Friday as dozens of students surprised their families or peers with gifts during two Miracles Do Happen assemblies.

The annual tradition at Atwater High School uses the last few months of the year to gather donations and hold fundraisers. Nathan Braga, the activities director, said he and the school’s leadership students organize the events.

The students distributed free meals, bicycles, electronics and trips. Braga said the community came through to help surpass the goal of $10,000, though organizers were still tallying the grand total.

“I know we exceeded ($10,000),” he said. “I think we doubled it, honestly.”

Students are asked to submit wishes online. Braga said organizers try to focus on the wishes students make on behalf of others.

Organizers awarded more than one cancer survivor for their bravery. Families who have lost loved ones were given meals or trips they could use to be together.

Desmarie Jackson, 15, asked organizers for “something nice” to thank her grandfather, Ismael Montoya, the family’s provider. She said he’s loving, caring and grateful for what he has.

Montoya is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and an Air Force veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He uses a cane because he was injured while serving, according to Jackson.

Organizers gave the family a gift card for dinner and four tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Montoya, who was accompanied by his wife, Delia, said he was brought to the assembly under a guise. “I’m totally surprised,” the 70-year-old said. “I was stunned. That was very sweet.”

Delia Montoya, 66, said she was “overwhelmed” by the gesture.

Also given out during the assemblies were trips to Disneyland, a new pair of shoes, spa treatments and tablet computers. One student was given a $10 In-N-Out Burger gift card to “fix his hungry stomach.”

Students also got a glimpse of a video of teachers and their peers as they “whipped and nae naed” and performed other dance moves set to “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.

Principal Torrin Johnson closed the assemblies by alluding to the violence recently making the news. “It’s days like this that reassure your confidence in what we stand for,” he said.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Atwater High students grant wishes of peers, families."