The Breezeway

Dust Bowl Lanes

herndon — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:18:42 +0000

Tired of the same old bowling alley with the same smelly shoes? Looking for a new place to bowl that also has connections to Bishop Kelley? Well look no further because Dust Bowl Lanes is the place to go.

Dust Bowl Lanes is more than the average bowling alley. With decor inspired by the classic bowling of the 1970’s and a large outside patio, Dust Bowl is more than meets the eye.

More than 8,000 feet is offered at Dust Bowl which includes lounge, a full service bar and private VIP rooms with two lanes.

“I like the retro atmosphere,” junior Michael Duke said. “It’s groovy, baby!”

“The bowling there rocks,” junior Michael Bookout said. “I really enjoy the 70s style because I get to dress up and look funky.”

Even if people do not like to bowl, Dust Bowl offers more than bowling lanes. Dust Bowl is a unique entertainment destination that can be a host of birthday parties, class reunions and regular group outings. They also offer giant televisions for sports fanatics so they can follow their favorite team.

“I enjoy their high quality balls,” senior Logan Young said.

Instead of the same bowling shoes offered at most bowling alleys that are reused over and over and cost a lot, Dust Bowl presents nice, clean shoes for only $3.50.

“Dust Bowl is a great place to hang out with my friends and go bowling on the weekends,” junior Chrissy Liotta said. “It’s the only place I go to bowl.”

Dust Bowl Lanes is located at 211 S. Elgin Ave. It is in the heart of the Tulsa Blue Dome District. If people do not have a reservation, don’t worry, Dust Bowl is very considerate to walk-ins. They will call and let people know when a lane is open so they can enjoy.

Not only is Dust Bowl a unique place, but it also has several important connections with Bishop Kelley. An ‘02 graduate from Bishop Kelley, Bailey Austin, was the architect who helped build Dust Bowl.

“Dust Bowl has hosted several faculty parties,” Jillian Moore, a Dust Bowl representative said. “As part of the McNellie’s Group, we’ve also been able to donate items for silent auctions and other fundraising events.”

Knowing that there is a bowling alley that is clean, hospitable and has connections with Bishop Kelley, why not come on down to Dust Bowl Lanes?

The Kings Have Taken the Court

herndon — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:14:37 +0000

Now that Bishop Kelley girls volleyball won State, it is time to focus on another type of volleyball: King of the Court.

King of the Court is the boys volleyball tournament that is open to all grades. Playing is already under way and each team is fighting for their spot in the finals which was Wednesday, December 14.

Campus Minister Jerri Berna, or Wads as she is called by various people, created King of the Court for all boys to participate in.
“I made it because I received a lot of questions about it,” Wads said. “There was a mutual interest in it between the girls and boys. I can tell the boys are very excited about playing volleyball.”
Only nine teams are signed up to play, and each has one goal in mind: to win. The rules are exactly the same as girls volleyball; however, the net is set at almost eight feet for the boys, compared to almost seven and a half feet for the girls.
Each team is exited to play, no matter how difficult it may be.
“I was really excited when I heard about boys volleyball,” junior Andrew Wood said. “I finally have a chance to show off my volleyball skills.”
Even though one team may have a powerful hitter, or all tall people, it takes certain skills and attributes to win. Teams cannot rely on one person to win an entire tournament.
“The winning team needs chemistry together,” Wads said. “They have to understand that everybody has to do their job so they can be successful.”
“I think that my team, the Volleyballers, has what is takes to win it all,” junior David Hayes said. “We have a great mix of talented people along with tall people so we will definitely win.”
All competition aside, every player is excited to just have fun and play with their friends. The players really enjoy being on the court instead of watching and cheering from the stands. The boys teams do not have all of the talent as the girls did, but they certainly picked up a thing or two from watching.
“The boys do not understand how hard it is to play volleyball well,” Wads said. “Before King of the Court, they just watched. They now know that volleyball is harder than it seems because it takes a lot of practice and correct technique.”
Every team had the chance to play each other in a pre-tournament game designed to see how each team stacked up against each other. There were two brackets in which the best and worst teams played. All teams played a total of four games and based on how many they won, how many points they scored and how many points were scored on them, they were ranked from best to worst.
“Even though we are only ranked second in our bracket, I know we can do our best,” junior Anthony Molinar said. “I am not going to let our seed discourage me. My team and I will persevere and win.”

No matter how bad each team wants the win, only one team can come out victorious.

Team Honeybadger received first place, The Mystery Team got second place, and The Tropics came in third place.

Dress Code Exposed

Mackey — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:08:07 +0000

Imagine you are walking down the main hallway and spotted, Mr. Pratt makes eye contact with you. This morning you chose to wear your shorter skirt and illegal socks and now you have to pay the price, literally. You are called into the office to kneel down and get your skirt measured. Now you owe $5.

“We tried to really communicate what we needed as far as skirt length at orientation this year but still ended up with a lot of short skirts as school started,” Mr. Pratt said.

Although some girls think the main office is out to get them; the office actually just want you to follow the dress code.

“The last thing we want is to have to issue fines or remove girls from class. Even having to check skirt lengths in the office is cumbersome and something we would rather not do,” Mr. Pratt explained.

With the coming of the second semester, the administration will once again try to right the wrongs of the ladies with short skirts in our school.

“Unfortunately I forsee another fairly strong disciplinary reaction coming on this issue with fines and removal from class fully in place until the problem is rectified.I would think simply reminding our ladies of the policy should take care of it before we have to result to disciplinary action. If there are other ideas out there, I would be glad to hear them,” Mr. Pratt stated.

As students with a uniform, some take advantage of accessories to express individuality. Scarves, necklaces, earrings and headbands are among the accessories that are appropriate for school.

“ Not only are scarves comfy and warm, but I love to spice up my uniform a little bit so I look different than everyone else,” senior Haley Poarch said.

However, there has been a recent rumor that scarves were not allowed with the uniform.

“There is no current policy on scarves, however if they start to become a distraction or take away from dress code we will go to no scarves during the school day,” Mr. Pratt explained.

The most troubling topic to the administration is free dress. The administration would like to clarify their stance on leggings. Free Dress Dress Code Policy states: “Tunics or other cover-ups of appropriate length should be worn with leggings or tights.” This means that if your skirt, shirt, or hoodie is not the same length as your uniform skirt, it is too short.

“Lead them not into temptation,” Fr. Kerry Wakulich explained.

Many teachers teachers have a straight forward attitude toward our dress code.

“If you wouldn’t wear it without leggings, do not wear it with leggings,” Ms. Bailey McBride said.

With the oncoming rain and snow, girls may feel the need to wear trendy shoes such as Uggs or rain boots. Both these shoes are acceptable, however, “Rain boots may only be worn outside.
Black or brown boots such as uggs may be worn with the pant legs on the outside, not tucked in. Boots may not be worn with skirts,” Mr. Pratt explained.

Lastly, blankets are not a part of our dress code. Although it is very cold outside, when one dons a blanket people may confuse you for a hobo.

“Blankets are not acceptable outerwear. Students may not move about campus wrapped in a blanket,” Mr. Pratt said.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Revealed

Dobrin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:04:52 +0000

Earlier last month, The Breezeway staff asked students to fill out a survey regarding all things Christmas. In the survey, students were asked to name their favorite Christmas movie and song and then their favorite place to see light displays. Unanimously, “Elf,” “Jingle Bells” and Rhema took first place in their respective categories. Then, students were also asked to describe what they thought was the true meaning of Christmas. The responses? Each individual and more abstract than the last.
“To spend time with loved ones,” and “the birth of Jesus,” were both thrown in the mix, and even the “I’m Jewish,” response was used.
As Catholics, we are in the season of expectation for Christ, or Advent, but in what is supposed to be a time of preparing for the coming of Christ into history, society has created a consumerist season instead.
“Our culture doesn’t experience Advent, [it] goes directly to Christmas,” Father Kerry Wakulich said. “[People] go to a distorted form of Christmas, a materialistic form, not a spiritual form.”
Wakulich pointed out that the hype about the Christmas season now starts on Black Friday.
“For most of our culture it’s about buying presents and throwing holiday parties. It should be about our Lord, about Him coming in the flesh,” he said.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, during Advent “[The Church] makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew ardent desire for his second coming.”
That doesn’t quite mean preparing by camping out in front of Best Buy for days to get an Xbox. It means preparing spiritually and emotionally.
“We should hold off on celebrating Christmas until it’s actually here and we should be ‘examining our lives to see what in our hearts is a barrier for Christ to enter’ as the Pope has said,” Wakulich explained.
The Catechism states it in the plainest of words: “He must increase but I must decrease.”
Christmas, at the end of the day, is more than holiday songs and movies; it is Christ, born in the flesh, and a time for all of us to remember and prepare for His first coming.
“If we prepare for it and experience it, we’ll come to know the true meaning of Christmas: God entering salvation history,” Wakulich said.

Savoy, Old-Fashioned Dining

duke — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:04:04 +0000

Friendly faces, hot coffee, and the aroma of cinnamon rolls percolating throughout the restaurant. Savoy is the perfect example of the old fashioned, family owned restaurants that you see in movies. Restaurants like this are unique, and are becoming harder to find. Savoy opened in 1954 under the Kelamis family. Four generations and thousands of cinnamon rolls later, the Kelamis family is still in charge.

“I can see my family going to eat there every Sunday after church. It has a very comfortable feel to it,” Savoy enthusiast Ariel Mackey said.

Savoy’s goal is to stay traditional, and they have gained recognition from many critics for that simple philosophy.
“Much of our food is homemade, including all the varieties of bread served in the restaurant,” Evan Kelamis, Savoy representative, said. “Savoy has routinely been voted best breakfast in Tulsa by various local and state publications.”

Savoy has many popular dishes that keep the regulars coming back day-in and day-out.

“Bacon and eggs ($8.60) is probably the most popular breakfast dish. Our biscuits and gravy ($4.75) and pancakes with homemade syrup ($4.75) are also quite popular,” Kelamis said.

However, one item has gained particular fame across town.

“Our cinnamon roll ($3.20) is the single most popular item on the menu,” Kelamis said.

What seperates Savoy from other restaurants is their comfortable atmosphere. You will often see many of the same faces returning to Savoy every morning.

“Savoy is, hands down, the best place to enjoy breakfast. The friendly atmosphere makes Savoy very enjoyable,” junior Ben Herndon said.

Kelamis credits the ownership with that familiarity.

“One thing that sets Savoy apart from other restaurants is that the owner, Bill Kelamis, personally runs the day-to-day operations. You will often see him visiting with guests,” Kelamis said.

Savoy offers a variety of dishes, ranging from their famous cinnamon rolls and biscuits for breakfast to chicken fried steak ($8.50) and baked ham ($8.90) for lunch. Every dish is the product of a family recipe that has been perfected since the restaurant opened in 1954.

“Utilizing premium ingredients, each product is handmade in small batches, using original recipes that remain unchanged since their creation,” Savoy’s website states.

Whether you have a nostalgia for the old family run diners or you simply want to have a high quality meal, round up your family and friends and head to Savoy for a superb breakfast or lunch.

“Savoy is unique from other restaurants,” Herndon said. “I strongly encourage others to find out for themselves.”

Blazek’s Quips and Quotes Book Goes Digital

Dobrin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:00:29 +0000

Mr. Michael Blazek, esteemed English teacher, is famous for many things: his movie posters, his rubber duckies, his sarcastic sense of humor and finally, his pocket size composition book. Rather, the contents of his composition book. Blazek keeps a record of funny quotes he’s heard by students in class or students in the halls. Basically, anything students say, anywhere, is fair game for his records.
What students don’t know about Blazek’s humorous tradition, however, is that it started in 2005 with a not so humorous situation. One of Blazek’s friends was diagnosed with a neurological condition known as Aphasia, a condition “in which the person has an inability to comprehend or express him or herself in spoken or written language,” he explained.
Blazek’s idea to document quotes created a way to cope with the illness.
“Laughing is preferable to crying in response to any illness or tragedy,” he said.
And so, “There is no light in the mailbox,” and “I need to blow my teeth,” were the first of many mangled sayings and misused words to be documented in “the book,” as Blazek’s students proudly named it. Blazek then took the humor aspect of the quotes to another level when he began documenting his students’ funny sayings from class.
“Usually they are malapropisms and puns,” he said.
Ben Pratt, senior, didn’t know that his quote, “Father Wakulich is like a tornado of holiness” made the book until he was interviewed about it for this article.
“We were talking about the argument of predestination and free will and Father Wakulich was going crazy with all these holy terms on the white board,” Pratt said about his entry.
He is also proud of it, as most students are.
“Most students like going in the book. But some are embarrassed so I quickly put them in the book, don’t make a big deal about it, don’t repeat it, and then after some time has passed, we both can look back and laugh,” Blazek said.
Some of his students even purposely say things to get an entry.
“I can easily hear a rehearsed quotation. Also, I have a rule, really the only rule, that I have to hear the quotation personally, the first time it occurs. No, ‘say that funny thing you said’ or ‘John said the funniest thing.’ It has to be live,” he said.
A quote by graduate Kristen Ritchie from 2007 is still rightfully at the top of Blazek’s Most Humorous list.
Her famous “I ask God for . . . what’s the word I’m looking for? Focus,” is still a favorite.
Other favorite quotes include alumnus Jordan Taubman’s “I have a photographic memory and my favorite book is ‘Catch 21,’” or Matt Kleyman’s, class of 2011, “Mary Wollstonecraft was a feminist . . . one of those corset burners.”
Blazek even has a few pages devoted entirely to faculty quotes.
“Of course, teachers are in the book, too. Anyone I am around might be a contributor [or] victim. Most teachers find it as humorous as students do,” he said.
The book has been filled with so many quotes throughout the years that, over the summer, Blazek went digital with it.
“The miniature composition books fall apart being carried in my back pocket 24/7, 365 [and] copying them into a new book is a pain in the butt,” he said.
Students and faculty members should consider another aspect of the digital switch, which Blazek considers to be an advantage: “[The book] is search-able and [could be] available anywhere there is an Internet connection.”
Victims, look out.

BK’s Impossible Task Gains National Attention

Dobrin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:59:02 +0000

Bishop Kelley’s nearly impossible task to write 100,000 holiday cards to troops deployed in the Middle East has not only inspired students, parents and faculty members, but also communities around the country. A school of less than 1,000 students attempted something so simple, yet caught the attention of a nation and sparked an unprecedented amount of positive feedback.
Producers of “Canteen Spirit,” a documentary filmed in 2004 about the efforts of the North Platte Canteen, sent a letter of congratulations to the school, along with a copy of the DVD to celebrate the accomplishment.
“We were pleased to read about your post card writing campaign for our troops in the Middle East,” Mary Jane Winquest, director of communications at Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, wrote.
Marc Kaschke, mayor of North Platte, Neb., also hand wrote a letter to Mr. Feilmeier expressing his gratitude to the BK community.
“I am glad to see that the story of the North Platte Canteen had an impact on the students at Bishop Kelley. The Canteen was a special moment that showed the best our nation has to offer and was arguably one of the greatest volunteer efforts in U.S. history,” he said.
Diane Snider, a retired school teacher from Oklahoma, articulated her thanks on behalf of her community in Abilene, Texas.
“We have Dyess Air Force base in our community of 120,000, so we are keenly aware of the sacrifices they and their families make and also aware [of] the impact of your students’ efforts to support the troops,” she said.
Bishop Kelley alumni have communicated their approval as well. Through letters to the school, a phone call to the front office, or posts on various social networking sites, graduates have spread the word about Kelley’s accomplishment.
“I am so proud to be a Comet! What an incredibly daunting task you all took on,” Vicky Adams, principal at Saint Catherine School, wrote to Father Brian O’Brien.
Sarah Shreder, class of 2011, took to Facebook to share her respect for the achievement.
“I am so proud of my alma mater Bishop Kelley for achieving their goal . . . they have truly embodied the spirit of the Christmas season,” she said.
The simple act of writing cards to U.S. soldiers not only touched the local community, but also a national one. A woman named Myra Strandberg from San Diego learned about BK’s effort from a local news cast and decided to make a request. Her nephew, Corporal Michael Fox, lost both his legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device while deployed in Afghanistan and has survived numerous surgeries since then. Strandberg wrote to BK asking for a few personal cards to be mailed to a mailbox set up for Fox in Escondido, Calif.
Mr. Oberste, dean of student activities, was also contacted by a principal at a school of 250 students in Tennessee who wanted to participate in a similar task.
“We are donating our ‘Once Upon a Town’ books to them to help,” he said. “It’s amazing the ripple effect we have created. [The task] started out as a great thing that just got better and better and turned into something so monumental. It shows how much we can accomplish.”

Its Getting Real in the Junior Parking Lot

fernandez — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:57:25 +0000

Even if you haven’t been hit yourself, then you probably still know that the junior lot is an extremely dangerous place to drive. Many students have been in or almost been in a fender bender. But what is the reason behind all this chaos?

Dean of Students Jeff Pratt believes he knows the answer.

“The Junior Lot has 185 spaces,” Pratt said. “The majority of those spaces are filled in the morning and then emptied after school in 15 minute time spans. The way to make the lot safe is for every driver and pedestrian take personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of others.”

School President Fr. Brian O’Brien also has a similar solution to Mr. Pratt’s.

“When students are courteous to one another, when they drive the speed limit and put down their phones, it is a very safe place,” O’Brien said.

Students have their own opinions on why the junior lot is dangerous at times.

“I feel like there should be a stop sign somewhere. Some people drive on the wrong side of the road. It makes me wonder if a lot of the people just learned to drive or something,” senior Chelsea McKenzie said.

“People go really fast around the corner at the end of the junior lot and in front of the gym without looking. And people who come in through the sophomore lot speed into the junior lot and don’t look out for people,” junior Gabby Steinl said.

But these are not the only problem areas in the junior lot. Wrecks and bumps have occurred all over the lot.

“I was going up the junior lot and turning into another lane,” junior Alex Kach said, “and a girl hit me turning into my lane. I couldn’t open my door and everything was smashed on that side.”

Kach was not hurt in the accident, but these accidents are exactly what cause concern for students.

“Their awareness isn’t as high as it would be on the main streets. It’s because they get the mindset that they are in the parking lot and it’s just a parking lot and nothing bad will happen to them,” senior Matthew Douglas said.

Douglas’ car was also involved in an accident. A friend of his bumped into his car while trying to park.

“I wasn’t in the car, I was in the library and found out that someone ran into my car. It didn’t do any damage to my car but it really messed up his front bumper,” Douglas said.

The junior lot is notorious for its many wrecks. Some seniors that have parked in the junior lot and now park in the senior lot, believe that the senior lot is a much safer place.

“The senior lot is a lot safer,” Douglas said. “The spaces are bigger and parking is a lot easier.”

“Only the teachers and senior park back there (senior lot) so you have more experienced drivers,” McKenzie said.

Whatever lot, the safety of student drivers is still in the hands of the drivers themselves.

“It’s all up to the students, O’Brien said. “If students are driving safely and courteously then there won’t be any problems.”

Who Is The Face Behind The Words?

fernandez — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:56:11 +0000

Twitter is a social networking site, but you probably already knew that. Many students have Twitter, but probably already knew that too. But did you know that there are three students that go to Bishop Kelley who run a Twitter account that unveils the truthful woes of being a Kelley student? And that the three who run this Twitter walk the halls the same halls you do everyday and eat the same chicken on Wednesday as you have eaten? Perhaps you have seen them in the hall, even talked to them, and had no idea. Do you know who @BKProblems is?

@BKProblems is a Twitter account created by a Kelley student that privately tweets the ups and downs of being a BK student.

“I created @BKProblems just because you see everyone mentioning a problem in their tweets and it’s just a good place for everyone to come and share a common problem,” the creator of @BKProblems said.

@BKProblems was originally run by only the creator, but now it is a group of three students. The creator got help to keep the account up and running from some of his/her friends.

“Though I’ve known who the original creator is for quite awhile, I was just recently given the password to @BKProblems. They(the creator) decided it was too much for just one person to keep up so they entrusted a couple people to keep the secret and help keep the account running,” a contributer of @BKProblems said.

The Twitter account has caused many laughs and smiles to Kelley students and teachers alike because of the truth behind the tweets.

“When I first saw @BKProblems on Twitter I read the first few tweets and was laughing hysterically. My first thought was ‘what genius came up with this magical idea’,” sophomore Danny Slagle said.

“I think it says a lot about our school when the biggest problem someone has is that their socks are the wrong ones,” said Bishop Kelley President Fr. Brian O’Brien.

Though tweets can be humorous and true, some students have tweeted to @BKProblems about specific teachers. And the same members of the faculty are not happy.

“Even though I find most of them funny, I do not like the ones that personally attack or make fun of teachers, it’s just rude and insensitive. Students need to realize that what they post on the Internet, especially tweets and Facebook posts can get them in trouble,” Brother Anthony Elfering said.

As for Dean of Students Jeff Pratt, @BKProblems as a Twitter account is not a problem. It is some of the tweets that have caused reason for concern.

“I don’t have any serious concerns with @BKProblems. I just don’t want any students to make a poor choice on what or when they write and get in trouble. Students should not be making entries during the school day. They should not make any remarks that would publicly disgrace BK. Students should not make any disparaging comments about faculty, staff or other students. Any legitimate concerns that students have should be taken to an administrator and we will do our best to correct the situation. Twitter is not the place to have those discussions,” Pratt said.

@BKProblems assures that the Twitter account is “surely not meant to offend any faculty members.”

“I’ve personally heard a teacher talk about @BKProblems and they seemed mad that the account even exists,” @BKProblems said.

“We simply say what everyone is thinking.”

And that is exactly what @BKProblems does. Tweet subjects can be anything from illegal jackets to walking to the STC in the rain. Any problem, big or small, students have about Kelley probably has been or will be tweeted by @BKProblems

“Our problems are what makes us us,” junior Juanita Torres said.

Besides being entertained by the tweets, students have also enjoyed another thing about @BKProblems: trying to find out who it is.

“It’s kind of exciting!,” @BKProblems said about being the account, “It hasn’t been hard to keep the secret at all for me and we keep the secret pretty well.”

Students often point fingers at people they think it is. Sophomore Danny Slagle has had many fingers pointed at him for being @BKProblems.

“When people ask me if I’m @BKProblems, I laugh and wish I could say it is true because I would have loved to come up with such a great idea,” Slagle said. “I think it’s a lot better if people not know who it is because it gives it more of a mystery. Who knows? It could be me.”

Not very many people know the true identity of the man/women behind the account, but he/she has been tempted on various occasions to let out the secret.

“It is very tempting every day especially when people mention it,” @BKProblems said. “The only person I’ve told is my sister and one other Bishop Kelley student who will remain nameless.”

How long will @BKProblems last? Will the Twitter account affect the student-teacher relationship over social networking sites? Will the secret of @BKProblems ever be let out? Only time will tell for these questions. And although tweets poke fun at the school, @BKProblems is still a Bishop Kelley Comet.

“Even though this account is made solely to discuss the problems with Bishop Kelley, every school has it’s problems,” @BKProblems said. “This account is just for fun, I love my school! #cometpride.”

The Big Man In the Red Suit

gajan — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:40:13 +0000

We all know Christmas is about celebrating the joy of baby Jesus or giving to those who need, but another one of the may joys of Christmas is getting excited for Ole’ St. Nich. Many movies have led us to believe many things, but what is the true origin of Santa Claus? According to www.stnicholascenter.org, “After the American Revolution, New Yorkers remembered with pride their colony’s nearly-forgotten Dutch roots. John Pintard, the influential patriot and antiquarian who founded the New York Historical Society in 1804, promoted St. Nicholas as patron saint of both society and city. In January 1809, Washington Irving joined the society and on St. Nicholas Day that same year, he published the satirical fiction, Knickerbocker’s History of New York, with numerous references to a jolly St. Nicholas character.” John Pintard held an honorary dinner to celebrate St. Nich December 6, 1810. Germany exchange student Antonia Peitzner said they do Christmas differently and that’s when he comes to bring the children of Germany goodies. “St. Nich comes December 6th and brings candy and presents in shoes. We put them in front of our rooms. [The shoes aren’t special shoes] but sometimes we’ll put out red shoes like Santa Claus’s shoe,” she said.
In 1812 a book was published to a more modern American Santa called Children’s Friend. “This “Sante Claus” arrived from the North in a sleigh with a flying reindeer. The anonymous poem and illustrations proved pivotal in shifting imagery away from a saintly bishop. Sante Claus fit a didactic mode, rewarding good behavior and punishing bad, leaving a ‘long, black birchen rod . . . directs a Parent’s hand to use when virtue’s path his sons refuse.’” This is where the naughty or nice came from. In the book, Sante Claus appeared on Christmas Eve instead of on December 6th. Then in 1823, The Night Before Christmas was published. Since then, many artists portrayed images and paintings on how the poem described Santa. People put of food and offerings to show their gratitude for him then a gift exchange was done at night.
Tommy Sullivan is thrilled for Christmas. He said “Leaving cookies out for Santa is the highlight of my Chirstmas.” Also, a few a years back a mess was left in a student’s house from the jolly, old fellow. “Once their was some of his clothing in the fireplace and he probably tripped because a plant was knocked down,” Alexandra Prater said. Santa also does something special for junior Alex Kach. She said, “Every year Santa leaves me a little note to say that I’ve been good that year and he appreciates it.” Hopefully you all have been nice so Santa can leave you something too!