Angels on Campus: How ATA College Prep Brought the Spirit of Giving to Life
By: Harrison Chambers
Paper tags hang from a Christmas tree, printed with a child’s name, age, clothing sizes, and a list of wishes. Each tag represents an “angel” in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, a tradition that ensures struggling kids and families receive Christmas presents. People can adopt an angel and buy items on their list to make their holiday feel special. In the Austin area last year, the program helped 6,800 kids, an outstanding number of families to support.
This year at ATA College Prep, the five-year tradition of participating in the Angel Tree program continued. As a school, 25 angels were adopted. Students picked their tags off the tree, helping make a child’s holiday memorable. Many students have expressed how meaningful it felt to picture a child opening the gifts they picked out with such care. ATA College Prep student Finn Ashley said, “It made me realize how even small things can make someone’s whole Christmas.” Imagining that moment of surprise and happiness added a much deeper sense of joy and purpose to the experience.
For two weeks, kids from ATA College Prep went shopping at various stores to find the right gifts. Students gathered around the Christmas tree, preparing their gifts, then slid them beneath the tree’s branches until the floor was covered in color. The spirit around campus felt meaningful. Seeing the school participate in this strengthened our sense of community and showed how far giving back can go. It was a reminder of what our school strives for – showing up and making a real difference.
