Autumn is a very busy time for the Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board. Our middle and high school students are working hard to plan fall events for all ages such as the Middle School Halloween Party, Treats & Tails, Parents Night Out and Letters to Santa.
HY board leaders Nicole de los Reyes, Viggy Ravilla, Ryan Aby and Saira Hashmey are excited to tell you more about these upcoming events as well as their favorite memories from past years.
Be sure to follow @HYboard on Instagram! Check our calendar of events for details. Subscribe to our new Highlands Youth E-News for upcoming volunteer opportunities and youth news.
By Nicole de los Reyes
Treats & Tails
Join us at Blakely Hall for the second annual Treats & Tails on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 12-2 p.m. You can expect to enjoy a fun-filled spooktacular event for the entire community, brought to you by the HY board. Plus, it’s free for all to attend.
Enjoy unique games and activities with plenty of opportunities to win prizes and candy. Everyone is a winner! We will even have treats for all our furry friends, too.
We encourage kids, furry friends and families to put on costumes and get in the Halloween spirit!
By Viggy Ravilla
Middle School Halloween Party
The annual Middle School Halloween Party is back at Blakely Hall on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7-9 p.m. The Halloween party has numerous activities for kids to enjoy such as karaoke, carnival games and even a pie eating contest.
Additionally, snacks and drinks will be served by members of the HY board. This event is great for students wanting to hang out with their friends while loading up on candy and meeting new people!
One of my favorite memories from last year’s party was the pie eating contest. It was fun to watch as the participants went to extreme lengths to shove tons of food in their mouth all at once.
All in all, this event is always fun to put together and it’s even better when more kids attend! Tickets cost $20 and will not be available for purchase at the door. Please bring your
student ID to the event.
By Ryan Aby
Parents Night Out
Parents Night Out is one of my favorite events we host all year! On Friday, Dec. 1, parents can drop their elementary schoolers off for a quick getaway! The whole night is filled with games, music and themed festivities, facilitated by the HY board. The event is carefully planned for months in advance, and each one of us is dedicated to making it as safe and memorable as can be.
Last year, our theme was The Polar Express and students got to embark on an adventure to the North Pole. From custom picture frames to challenging obstacle courses, it’s guaranteed to be a fun time!
Some of my personal favorites from last year include decorating cookies and watching The Polar Express with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Parent’s Night Out is a great opportunity for students to meet up outside of school, bond with their friends and make new ones. In my eyes, it’s an event you just can’t miss out on! Be sure to join us Friday, Dec. 1, from 6–9 p.m. Registration opens Nov. 1–17.
By Saira Hashmey
Letters to Santa
Every year, our Santa Letters program truly spreads the holiday spirit! Children in the community are encouraged to participate in a fun activity that gets them engaged in the jolly spirit of Christmas.
Kids who drop a letter to Santa in the mailbox outside of Blakely Hall before Sunday, Dec. 10, will receive a personal letter back from St. Nick himself. Each letter is personalized based on the content of each original letter, and sent back with assistance from the HY board.
You can find a template of the letter to Santa at issaquahhighlands.com in November. It will ask for the child’s name, what they want for Christmas, an address, and other fun questions.
Being Santa’s helper is one of my most cherished memories as an HY board member. Each child’s letter warmed my heart. I also know a few children who were absolutely delighted to find out that Santa wrote back to them, and they were so proud about receiving a response.
