PHS students communicate the meaning of Christmas in two languages

By Rusty Nixon 
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

PLYMOUTH - One of the exciting things about Plymouth FOP #195's Shop with a Cop program is the way it brings widely different sections of the community together to help kids have a Christmas they wouldn't have a chance to have otherwise.

Last Saturday was no exception and for a second year Spanish students from Plymouth High School pitched in to do their part. The students volunteered their services to help translate for Spanish speaking families during the shopping trip.

"Most of the kids also volunteered last year and they loved the program so much they wanted to be part of it again," said Delia Gadziola, Spanish/ELL teacher at PHS. "Haley Jaggers worked to set the whole thing up last year and helped out again this year."

"This can be kind of overwhelming for third year students so we have mostly our fourth year students and some of our students who speak Spanish."

For the students who participated - Alejandra Renteria, Mónica Renteria, Dayana Ortiz, Moy Lopez, Yesenia Garcia, Leticia DelReal, Paola Moreno, Diana Figueroa, Maria Lupe Rodriguez, Matt Libersky, Stephani Moran - helping kids and helping their community were the key component.

"A lot of our kids don't participate in sports or other extra curricular things and this type of thing is sort of a niche for them," said Gadziola. "They believe in this community and they want to make a difference. This gives them a chance to get out and demonstrate their leadership ability."