The 15th Year: DECA Adopt-a-Classroom
Photo submitted by Hamilton DECA
Just before winter break, more than 60 Hamilton DECA members headed to Gaenslen Elementary School in Milwaukee to deliver gifts to first graders. Since many Gaenslen students are from low income families and don’t always receive a present, this yearly tradition ensures that each and every one of first grade students receives a gift during the holidays. Hamilton DECA has been running Adopt a Classroom as a community service for 15 years now.
Here’s how it works: Each first grader fills out a wish list, including their favorite activities, toys, hobbies, and candy. These wish lists go to Mrs. Fields, Hamilton’s DECA advisor. Once all of the high school permission slips are turned in and all approximately 60 spots are full, each DECA member gets matched with a child and receives their child’s wish list. Then they go shopping with a budget of about $25-$30 to buy a gift. After that, the chapter travels out to Milwaukee to actually meet their kid, give them their presents, and hang out with them for a few hours. It’s one of DECA’s most loved events because of how much happiness it brings to the kids. Hamilton DECA’s President, junior Elise Davidson, says, “Adopt a Classroom is easily my favorite service event because nothing compares to the smiles on the students' faces when our DECA members arrive with gifts. It is incredibly rewarding to bring joy to their holiday season and share a fun day with the kids!”
This year, DECA members left Hamilton around 10:00 in the morning. Students stopped at Culver’s for lunch before continuing on to Gaenslen Elementary. When they got there, the first graders performed “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” for them, which was adorable. Then they started calling off pairs, and each Hamilton student finally got to meet their first-grader. Senior DECA member Prisha Trivedi describes it like this: “It was so exciting to finally meet my kid after the students sang their song, which was so cute! He showed me around the library and we found a good spot to finally open presents!”
The gifts ranged from toys and action figures to puzzles, stuffed animals, board games, and more. It’s the kind of heartwarming experience that members end up remembering for a long time. Shaanvi Konda Gopinath, a junior DECA member, shared, “Adopt a Classroom has been an awesome experience! I gifted my child a LEGO Set, and we were able to spend time building a LEGO car and playing with it together.”
After exchanging gifts, the high schoolers and elementary kids have time to play together. The elementary students love swapping toys and showing off their new presents to their friends. The first graders showed their high schoolers their classrooms while others began playing games like Jenga or building LEGOswith their friends. In total, the chapter spent about two hours with the kids. Sophomore VP of Communications Eesha Kothinti adds, “Adopt a Classroom was a fantastic opportunity for the DECA community; we observed the significant impact each student had on a child in need. It was inspiring to see the dedication and compassion that our members brought to this initiative!”
This event means a lot to DECA members each year—getting to witness the excitement on both the kids’ and teachers’ faces makes it all worthwhile. DECA advisor Mrs. Fields is always a fan of this event too, saying, “This was our second year adopting the entire first grade at Gaenslen, and we are incredibly grateful for the strong support and enthusiasm from our DECA members. Their commitment made it possible for us to continue supporting more than 60 students. This event means a great deal to our organization and has a lasting impact on everyone involved.” Overall, the experience is always super fulfilling and a great way to spread kindness during the holidays!
