THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

  By: Abi Lenze & Jocelyn Nowak

Every year, the Christmas season arrives with sparkling lights, festive music, and the excitement of exchanging gifts. Yet, beneath the decorations and celebrations lies a deeper truth that often gets overshadowed; Christmas is about giving to others. It’s not only giving presents, but giving kindness, time, compassion, and love.     

True giving is not measured by the size or cost of a gift, instead, it is measured by the intention behind it. A handwritten letter, a warm meal, or even a moment of genuine listening can mean more than anything wrapped in paper. Acts of kindness remind us that we are connected; we belong to communities, and we have the ability to make life brighter for someone else. Christmas also encourages us to look beyond ourselves. During the rush of daily life, it’s easy to focus on your responsibilities, struggles, and personal desires. However, the Christmas season invites us to pause and ask: Who needs support? Who could use a smile? Who might be feeling forgotten? When we give to others, whether through charity, volunteering, or simple compassion, we honor the season’s true purpose.

Douglas Craver, Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) club advisor, agrees that volunteering and a listening ear is one of the best ways to support others during the holidays. While to him, the season is joyous and full of positive memories, he recognizes that not everyone feels this way. One of the most important things he remembers during the holiday season is to support the people who don’t have the same blessings as him. To Craver, Christmas means more than big celebrations, gifts, and decorations. He states, “Christmas is about celebrating God’s love. It is about how that love came down as an infant”. He looks forward to acknowledging this each year at the Candlelight service on Christmas Eve. Instead of paying attention to the stress of buying presents and traveling, he focuses on his faith and supporting others.

Kirk Marsh, FCS advisor, believes it is important to support each other not only emotionally but also financially during this season. “A lot of the time I don’t even let people know it’s (donations) from me, I don’t necessarily want the credit,” Marsh said while being interviewed. He believes that the holiday break, for people of all ages, is one of the most important parts of the holiday season, as the weeks leading up to the break are often the most stressful times of the year. Marsh expressed that “The holidays are really hard on people too, because of stress or… (If) You’ve gone through a loss, or you’ve suffered something this year, the holidays are often stark reminders and can be negative.” 

The true meaning of Christmas lies beneath the sparkly ribbons and expensive gifts – it’s the time spent caring for your loved ones and strangers alike, no matter your walk of life.

CHRISTMAS REMIX

 By: Alexis Crum

December is the peak of the winter season. It’s very important to get into the Christmas spirit before it arrives, and what better than to do it with some groovy beats to wrap up 2025. This year our students chose what songs they liked better to try to construct the most trendy playlist of all of your favorite hits for this Holiday season. Some of our students even gave a description of why they had chosen a specific song. One student claimed that, “Older Christmas songs are so nostalgic”, and I would agree; songs from a specific time in your life can hold its own sense of life within your mind. Although not all the songs on this year’s Christmas playlist were oldies, we still got a little mix of that nostalgic Christmas cheer.

Southeast’s Christmas The Playlist of 2025 consists of the following:

“Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande	“Last Christmas” by Wham!	“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” by Michael Bublé
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey	“Holly Jolly Christmas” by Michael Bublé	“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra	“You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Tyler the Creator	“Baby It’s Cold Outside” by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé

So, crank up these tunes as you “deck the halls” or bake some cookies, and enjoy the soundtrack to a jolly Christmas season!

Reel Cheer: Southeast’s Favorite Christmas Movies Face Off

By: Alaunté Massrock

Get the popcorn, comfy blankets, and hot cocoa because Christmas break is just around the corner, and a favorite pastime for many is watching holiday movies. These classic films are an essential part of creating a time of family bonding and togetherness. From The Grinch to Elf, everyone has their favorite feature that creates a sense of nostalgia and sentimental warmth. 

For this holiday article, The Pirate Post decided to take a deeper dive into what films are favored by some of the Southeast student body.  Below is a bracket that shows some of the most popular holiday movies, voted on by students, as they face off to determine the ultimate Christmas classic.

According to the bracket, Elf was the popular choice, and that is not just a Southeast opinion. The movie Elf grossed over two hundred million in profit worldwide on its release in 2003. Now, the movie has become a staple for the holidays and a great way to spend time with your family. 

SANTA’S SECRET RECIPE

By: Ava Lenze

For many years, cookies have been a symbol of togetherness and sharing goodness. Families come together, add the ingredients, roll the dough, and decorate them with sprinkles, showing how working together creates a delicious final product. The sweet aroma of a freshly baked cookie fills homes and puts all those around us in a jolly mood, especially in the holiday season. Food brings people together through conversations, by offering comfort, and creating bonds through shared meals. Traditions of recipes being passed down through families and bringing people together show the true magic of love and family. Many also give cookies as gifts; they are personal and homemade. Some families participate in cookie exchanges and decorating, bringing families together even if they don’t see each other every day. Cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they bring people together, growing the true meaning of Christmas.

Peppermint and White Chocolate Cookies 

Ingredients

▢1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

▢1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp

▢3/4 cup white chocolate chips

▢1/2 cup crushed candy canes plus more

for dipping

▢1 pinch salt

▢1/4 tsp baking soda

▢1 pinch baking powder

▢1 egg room temp

▢1/2 cup sugar plus 1 tbsp

▢1/2 tsp vanilla extract

▢1/4 tsp peppermint oil

Instructions

1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. While the mixer is running, add the egg, then the vanilla and peppermint oil.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture and scrape the bowl down.
5. Add the white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes and mix until just incorporated. 
6. Place the cookie dough on a parchment-lined cookie sheet using an ice cream scoop if you have one. I recommend a 2-tablespoon-sized portion for each cookie. 
7. Dip each ball of cookie dough into a bowl filled with crushed candy canes. 
8. Chill on a baking sheet for 5-10 minutes in the refrigerator. Bake at 350°F for about 6 to 7 minutes. 
9. Allow to cool on a cookie sheet and enjoy!

https://preppykitchen.com/white-chocolate-peppermint-cookies/

UNWRAPPING THE CHRISTMAS CHARACTERS OF SOUTHEAST

 By: Garret Davis & Caden Dillon

Snowflakes are not the only things falling into place this holiday season; the holiday spirit at Southeast High School is too. From Christmas decorations, baking cookies, Secret Santa gifts, and movie marathons, the festive air is infectious with joy and cheer that is shared among students and staff. One of the many Christmas traditions that society partakes in is delving into Christmas movies. As a matter of fact, some of our teachers have been sharing classics in the classroom before the holiday break. However, what if some of the characters from these beloved movies walked the hallways with us? From the Grinch to Buddy the Elf, some holiday personalities feel surprisingly similar to members of our very own Southeast staff. With that in mind, we matched teachers to iconic Christmas characters based on their personalities and seasonal sparkle. Let the festive fun begin!

Teachers	Christmas Characters
Ashley Tilley / Stephanie Beitzel	Cindy Lou Who – The Grinch
Tommy Stockard	The Grinch
Alivia Collins	Rudolph
Douglas Craver	Max – The Grinch
Mason Harsh	Kevin – Home Alone
Adam Jenkins and Kirk Marsh	Wet Bandits (Marv and Harry) – Home Alone
Steve Sigworth	Santa Claus
Amber Schuch	Buddy the Elf – Elf
Ben Campbell / Pat Youel	Scrooge – A Christmas Carol
Joe Sutton	Jack Frost – Santa Claus 3

The holiday spirit in Southeast High School is the most festive time of the year. The teachers at our school help make it exciting and competitive for the classes by competing for the spirit stick. From door decorating contests to dressing up for spirit week, our holiday spirit is unparalleled. We hope everyone has a fantastic holiday break and gets to enjoy priceless time with their family.

IT’S A FAMILY TRADITION

By: Bradley Dillon and Tyler Shaw

Every family is unique and celebrates holidays in their own way. However, families in the Southeast district, though individually distinct, share many similar Christmas traditions within the community. Some of the most common family traditions are putting up Christmas trees, baking cookies, elves on the shelves, having a family dinner on Christmas day, and spending quality time with those special to them. 

Taking a closer look at some of these customs, we found that what makes these traditions memorable isn’t just the activities themselves, but the meaning behind them. Whether it’s laughing together while decorating the tree, passing down a favorite cookie recipe from one relative to another, or gathering around the table to share a holiday meal, these moments create lasting bonds that bring our community closer together each year.

Decorating the Christmas tree is an old but revered tradition. A lot of families go out to a Christmas tree farm and pick their favorite tree. They proceed to cut it down, put it in their truck bed, and take it home. Once home, the real fun begins. 

Decorating and adorning this Christmas symbol in lights and ornaments breathes life into the ideology of the Christmas tree. Families are enamored with this tradition because they are with the people they love, creating new and lasting memories.  

Like a lot of people, the fastest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Some families have a special recipe that has been passed down through generations; this has become a staple in their Christmas meal, but it is more than a recipe, it is a time to remember those who have come before, perhaps that special great-great-grandma.

 These moments all lead to families just getting together and sharing pieces of their lives from the past year while “breaking bread,” enjoying a traditional family meal. These get-togethers are the most important part. Families get busy and do not always make time for one another, yet when Christmas time rolls around, people find ways to recreate bonds that may have been weakened with lost time. 

Traditions represent who we are as people, as families, as a society. They knit together the past and the present; threads of a perpetually altering embroidery of the human spirit. Christmas traditions are but a vibrant, glossy strand in this tapestry.

SLEIGH YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

By: Leila Evans and Cali McPeak

Tis the season to get gifting! Our Christmas guide is here to help you find the perfect presents for your significant other, friends, and family. Whether you’re looking for romantic gestures or practical picks, we’ve got thoughtful and unique ideas to make your holiday shopping a breeze. From partners to parents, we’ll help you find gifts that’ll make your loved ones feel special. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with gifts that show you care.

As the holiday season wraps up, we hope our gift guide has helped you find the perfect presents for your loved ones. Whether you’ve already checked everyone off your list or are still searching for that special something, we’re glad to have been a part of your holiday planning. The joy of giving is in the thought and love behind each gift, and we trust you’ve found ways to show your loved ones you care. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy, peaceful new year!

BEYOND THE MISTLETOE

By: Emma Wood

While one holiday dominates the storefronts and media, December’s global calendar is packed with everything from the solemn reflection of Jesus Christ to the soft illumination of Hanukkah, the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and much more. All around us, there are people who do not celebrate Christmas due to religious reasons. Religion in this day and age is not just Christianity, and that is something we must understand as a community. 

There are two students within our school who do not celebrate Christmas due to religious and cultural reasons, yet both of them admit that their reasoning is not recognised by the rest of Southeast. It is not some weird phenomenon that they don’t celebrate the dominant holidays around this time; it is merely different, and therefore shunned by many. This Christmas, I want us to look beyond the mistletoe in our own traditions and acknowledge others.

A Different Kind of December

Sophomore Hailey Sippel and her brother Kyle Sippel are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and for them, Christmas is not observed. It is seen as a pagan-rooted holiday, and “…in John it talks about Birthdays and the Holidays and how when celebrated caused problems”. Her religion is rooted in the belief that the holiday traditions are not biblically mandated, and in fact, biblically spoken against. The winter season for her family becomes an exercise in quiet distinction, rather than mindless celebration.

Jehovah’s Witnesses still believe in God, contrary to what many might believe. They believe in the same God as Christians, and the same Bible, but they put more of an emphasis on what the Bible says, rather than secular belief. The Bible does not explain when Jesus was born. Instead of celebrating the birth, they celebrate his Passover, which is known. It is called the ‘Lord’s Meal’, when everybody gets together to, “…pass around wine, Jesus’s blood, and pass bread, his physical body”. They still celebrate their religion, they just do it differently. 

They emphasize personal faith practices year-round rather than seasonal observances. While Sippel noted moments of awkwardness, mostly when people called her religion a “cult”, or believed that she does not believe in God because she worships him differently than the majority (all of which are false), they also emphasized that their experience is less about exclusion and more about conviction.

Sippel used to celebrate Christmas, for she used to be Christian until approximately seven years ago, when her family converted to Jehovah’s Witnesses. She said that at first it was difficult to transition, like she was missing out and was robbed of the Holidays, but once she got older and understood why they didn’t celebrate anymore… she no longer felt that way. She understood, accepted it, and does not regret it.

“It doesn’t really change much for me,” Sippel said. She still enjoys the winter months, and loves it all, she just… doesn’t celebrate Christmas. It is not that they are missing out; it is just that her family has a faith that asks them to focus differently. 

A Different Kind of Christmas

Junior Laine Streem comes from Jewish descent. Her father is Jewish, her mother is Chrisian, so she observes both holidays. Christmas carries a different tension for her: it symbolises a holiday season that surrounds them completely while also favoring one that doesn’t really show up in society… at all. 

While Hanukkah sometimes overlaps with Christmas, it does not serve as a parallel equivalent. Yes, there are gifts given, and games, and food, but Streem described her Jewish festivities to lean more “sacred” than the Christian side. She described December as a time of heightened visibility, of being reminded constantly that they belong to a minority tradition. That they “…don’t get enough recognition as a religion”. 

Her family lights the menorah, and has the kids all do it together. They spin the dreidel and collect little chocolate coins from the table. They have a multitude of traditions that we might not experience, but it makes their family what they are. Same as how we have our own traditions at home. 

The Jewish traditions are holy, deep, and incredibly personal. While she expressed that she wasn’t, “… as strict with the Jewish religion as some of my cousins. They go to Hebrew school and fast, and don’t eat pork, or yeast at certain times”. She still exclaims that she has a very deep personal tie to Judaism. She expresses concern regarding how people speak to her about her Jewish roots, and wishes people were “…more open to actually understanding what happens rather than make assumptions”. 

When asked if Streem enjoyed Hanukkah or Christmas more, she said it was hard to choose, but that her Jewish side, “…was more sacred, it just feels… sacred. More special”. She emphasized resilience and pride in her identity, for both sides of her family. Hanukkah for her became a grounding ritual, a reminder of continuity and survival in a world that often assumes uniformity. 

Shared Ground

Despite their differences in belief, both students described a similar emotional landscape: isolation softened by understanding friends and more. They also described how their families anchor them in their traditions… same as the rest of us. 

What stood out is not what they did during December, but what they carried: faith, history, and an incredibly clear sense of self. They challenge the idea that celebration must look one way, that joy requires participation in Christmas or other rituals that most others do. 

As this December unfolds, I ask one thing of all of you: Look beyond the mistletoe, into the world of those celebrating a bit differently than you.

MEET OUR CREW

Writers:

Abi Lenze, Ava Lenze, Cali McPeak, Alexis Crum, Emma Wood, Jocelyn Nowak, Isabelle Goodnite, Bradley Dillon, Caden Dillon, Tyler Shaw, Garret Davis, Alaunte Massrock

Pictures:

Photographer: Kristen Dillon

Editors:

Kristen Dillon, Isabelle Goodnite, Jocelyn Nowak, Emma Wood, Mrs. Dillon