The

Spanish Club of Charles Henderson High School gathered at the home of their teacher and sponsor, Pam Merkel, for dinner and to practice before going caroling in Country Club Estates Tuesday night. The club serenaded the neighborhood with Spanish carols of Christmas. Photo by Jaine Treadwell

CHHS students carol in Spanish

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Dec. 7, 2000 10 PM

No matter how you say "Merry Christmas," it seems to be universally understood.

Even though the words may not be familiar, the spirit of Christmas is unmistakable.

On Dec. 5, a group of Charles Henderson High School students shunned the elements and made their way around the Country Club Estates neighborhood spreading the joy of Christmas.

In times past, caroling was one of the traditions of Christmas but, into today’s climate controlled world, most people seem to prefer to sing with their feet to the fire, especially when the temperature drops near freezing and the wind cuts through to the bone.

However, the Spanish Club at CHHS, didn’t seem to mind either the wind or the chill as they went a-caroling. On the cold night, the Spanish-speaking carolers warmed the hearts of those who opened their doors to them.

Their teacher and club sponsor, Pam Merkel said the Spanish Club has gone caroling for several years and it is one of the favorite activities of each club.

"The students enjoy learning the songs and they enjoy singing them," Merkel said. "I’m a Spanish teacher who cannot sing but I enjoy trying. That’s what I tell the students – this is something we do for our enjoyment and for the enjoyment of others. It does not matter how we sound. It just matters that we sing."

Each year the Spanish Club carols in a different neighborhood.

This year, the students chose Country Club Estates to serenade and they were dinner guests of their teacher.

If they enjoy Spanish class as much as they enjoy "Spanish" food, they must be a joy to teach.

"They are a joy," Merkel said and she beamed with pride as they took the show from the dinner table to the doorways.

As the carolers made their way around the neighborhood, they were welcomed with smiles and applause.

"Not everyone understood the words but they understood the meaning," Merkel said.

However, there were few who didn’t understand, "Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad," but all understood and appreciated "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart."