Must Be Santa?
Giving anonymously and seeking no recognition—Student Santa was very Waltham indeed.
After 40 joyous years, it has a new name, Hawks for the Holidays, to encourage all students at Waltham High School to take part.
Somewhat predictably, dropping Santa (and Student) from the name wrinkled some feathers, especially online.
But program admins and founders agree that the student-driven effort represents the best of Waltham during the holiday season, regardless of the name.
“Unify the School”
The program was conceived at a kitchen table in 1984 in Steve and Marcia Goodwin’s house.
A fire had devastated a Waltham family, prompting a drive to buy presents for five or six kids, according to Student Santa co-founder Jack Cox [above far right], a legendary, now-retired WHS history teacher.
He and Steve, also a WHS teacher at the time, brought the idea to the students, who loved it. They took it over, buying presents for kids in need, aware only of their gender and age.
“We wanted the kids to take ownership,” Jack said, with the National Honor Society and WHS Student Council eventually leading the way.
Over the years Student Santa evolved into a cherished Waltham holiday tradition, with gifts for more than 300 children in 2023 and more than 10,000 over the years.
“Our goal was to have no child be without a gift on Christmas morning,” said Steve [above], who retired in 2014.
And it wasn’t only students giving back. The goodwill spread to the community at large.
For years, Jamie Oliveri [above, back row center] and her WHS Class of 2006 high school friends collected toys for Student Santa at Shoppers Cafe on Moody Street.
All that Christmas spirit crystallized into a holiday spectacle during assemblies in the auditorium: hundreds of presents on the stage, holiday musical performances by the show choirs and show band—and an appearance by Santa.
Over the years, those assemblies have evolved to include Hanukkah music, carols in Spanish and even a song in Hebrew. That will continue on Thursday, December 19.
“They'll mix elements of tradition with a few new surprises,” said Derek Vandegrift, the program coordinator and WPS Director of History and Social Studies.
“Recognition of Change”
But some WHS educators also bristled at Santa in the name, worried that some students might feel excluded from participating.
“Waltham is a very different community 40 years later,” said Derek, recipient of a prestigious Milken Educator Award in 2011, shown above with Student Santa participants last year.
He also noted that there’s a new high school building, a new superintendent, a new fundraising angle and the opportunity to establish new traditions while still maintaining what is so special—including an appearance by you-know-who.
So the program committee changed the name of Student Santa to Hawks for the Holidays to make it more inclusive.
Derek would not disclose who exactly suggested the change, but said adults, not students, were responsible.
The switch triggered debate in Waltham social media forums, reflecting broader polarization over Christmas in schools. “I wasn’t surprised,” Derek said.
One side saw an attack on Santa, while supporters of the name change considered it either a non-story or a long-overdue shift to a more generic, less Christmassy moniker.
Eyes on the Prize
So how do the Student Santa co-founders feel about the name change? Neither wanted to make waves, but Steve Goodwin expressed some doubts.
“I don’t see the need or priority for changing it,” he said, adding that no student was ever excluded from participating or forced to join in.
Steve also wondered why “Student” was removed from the name in favor of “Hawks,” the name of the school’s athletic teams and mascot. Are all students Hawks?
Derek fully understands where he’s coming from. After all, he was mentored by Steve during his 25 years in the district and considers him a good friend. But he’s confident that there’s room for all at this distinctively Waltham holiday celebration.
“At the end of the day, Waltham cares about the program—this is a great program that does great things for the community,” Derek said.
Steve and Jack agree, adding that student ownership of the program has always been front and center, with occasionally touching results.
Both veteran educators saw some WHS students who received Student Santa presents as children later buy gifts anonymously for other kids in need, expecting no recognition. “It’s a good life lesson for them,” said Jack.
File and courtesy photos
