In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Encinal High School students brought joy to the residents of St. Paul’s Towers near Lake Merritt in Oakland.
KJTZ radio collaborated with teacher Kevin Gorham’s leadership students, Diana Henneman’s Digital Film 2 class, and Mitchell Wagner’s orchestra and strings ensemble to create a festive atmosphere for the seniors at St. Paul’s.
The students led various activities, including decorating gingerbread houses and cookies, creating ornaments, and making holiday cards, while the orchestra played beautiful songs to entertain the residents. The event was met with enthusiasm from the seniors, with one resident expressing that her holiday wish is for Encinal High School to return again next year.
Recognizing the positive impact of this outreach, Gorham said he hopes to make it an annual tradition, continuing to showcase Encinal students’ ability to bring joy to the local community. The event not only brightened the day for the residents of St. Paul’s Towers but also provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with and learn from older generations, fostering important intergenerational connections.
Diana Henneman teaches Digital Film at Encinal Junior and Senior High School.
