A tradition has continued among GHS organizations and staff as different Secret Santa groups have started.

The teachers have enjoyed this tradition for many years, and for a long time, it has been led by Mrs. Laura Stadtfeld, FACS teacher.

“We’ve been doing Secret Santa here for a long time but when one of the teachers here retired, I loved it so I wanted to take it over. I’ve probably been doing it since 2010, so probably been doing it about 13 years,” Mrs. Stadtfeld said.

Secret Santa was something that brought her joy for more than one reason.

“I enjoy sharing things with people that I enjoy. I like seeing people smile when they get items that they are looking forward to or not expecting. I’m a surprise person so I like to surprise people. And one of the other things I think about doing Secret Santa is that the staff that don’t know each other can get to know someone in a different way,” she said.

Mrs. Amy Ritchotte, science teacher, mentioned her excitement to learn about something new.

“It’s my favorite thing all year. I look forward to it every year. Its super fun. It gives me a chance to get to know people I don’t know very well. I’m excited about who I got because I don’t know them very well,” she said.

The teaching staff is not the only group that does Secret Santa. The Lady Woodmen basketball and soccer teams do as well. Senior Stasia Buckalew, girls varsity basketball player, shared weather she prefers giving or receiving.

“It depends on who you get to be honest because some people are good at giving and some people are not. But I prefer to give because it’s more fun seeing their reactions,” she said.

The secrets do not end there, Mrs. Denise Green, journalism teacher, always organizes a Secret Santa for each of her staffs. The broadcast staff, the newspaper staff, and the yearbook staff.

“We all love this tradition, and it helps us connect as a staff. Last year, my Secret Santa was great. She gave me huge bags every day. I didn’t know her that well before, but we became closer throughout the rest of the year,” junior Olivia Baker said.