Whether it’s a bag of chips, a plushy, new shoes, or a new computer, many students don’t know what to expect when they unwrap their gifts during Sequim High School’s annual Winter Wishes.

A group from the school’s Associated Student Body (ASB) Leadership class have been planning the massive assembly in the school’s gym on Dec. 16 for nearly two months featuring music, dancing, and plenty of presents.

As tradition, students are all asked what they or a friend might want as a present for the holidays.

Seniors Kendra Dodson and Kate Brouillard both received new computers to use for college.

Dodson, who wished for a computer to help her in college towards becoming a speech-language pathologist, said she was surprised to be called up by teacher Sean O’Mera to receive an Apple MacBook.

“I’m just blown away by my teachers,” she said. “Our staff is very amazing. I feel very lucky.”

Brouillard, who helped co-coordinate the event, said she had no idea a Lenovo laptop was coming her way.

“I’m completely surprised,” she said.

She too is planning to go to college to pursue biology at Washington State University so she can eventually go into medicine. Brouillard said she had started saving for a computer.

Kate Brouillard, a senior, said she was surprised to receive a laptop as a gift at the Winter Wishes assembly. She plans to attend Washington State University for a biology degree while pursuing a career in medicine.

To help fund Winter Wishes, Leadership students said they receive donations from businesses, community members, and staff.

The Leadership class started with enough funds for 67 wishes, Brouillard said, and as they started purchasing items, more generous donations came in to help grant more wishes.

She said about 30 wishes were granted by SHS staffers separate from the Leadership class.

For items that were ordered and not delivered quite yet, Leadership students provided pictures of their items, such as a fishing rod.

Requests this year spanned from serious (a computer for college) to expensive (an electric car, or a pony) to small (a single Pokemon card).

Co-organizer Emma Gilliam, a senior, surprised her sister Leah, a sophomore, with a croissant Jellycat plushy, and sophomore Justice Loftus, dressed as Santa Claus for the event, received a dinosaur mask to play with his younger brother.

Brouillard said they try to grant as many wishes as possible, and not do any repeats.

Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash Hayden Rayburn, a SHS choir member, receives a conducting baton at the SHS Winter Wishes assembly. He sang with both the choir and Vocal Ensemble at the assembly.

When asked what Winter Wishes means to him, co-organizer John Pehrson said it’s an opportunity to give back.

“As Leadership (class), we have a lot of asks, so this is our way to give back,” he said.

Asked the same question, Brouillard said it’s fulfilling to help students receive gifts.

“Not everyone’s situation is great, so for those it doesn’t feel as cheery, hopefully this makes them feel better,” she said.

Principal Erin Fox said Winter Wishes defines what she loves about Sequim High School with a supportive staff, student body, and community.

“It generally makes people happy,” she said. “And it’s so cool how many people support the program.”

During Winter Wishes, O’Mera recognized students’ birthdays and the girls flag football team for its inaugural season, and the SHS Cheer Team, the SHS Choir and SHS Choir Vocal Ensemble all performed.

Organizers of Winter Wishes included Brouillard, Gilliam, Frances Haskins, Isabelle Hostetler, Lewis Irven, Pehrson, Cole Plecher, and Elise Sundin.

Sophomore Charli Rodgers loves that she received Flamin’ Hot Cheetos as a gift from the ASB Leadership class.

Laila Sundin helps look for a present for Jaron Aiken during the SHS Winter Wishes assembly.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Friends of Grillien Morrill celebrate him receiving a box of chips during SHS’s Winter Wishes assembly.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Senior Nico Musso receives a pair of Birkenstocks as a gift at the Winter Wishes assembly on Dec. 16.

Kristine Prorok is thrilled to receive flowers as a gift through the ASB Leadership class at Winter Wishes.

Senior Emma Gilliam, right, surprises her sister, Leah, a sophomore, on left, with a croissant Jellycat plushy during the Winter Wishes assembly.

Justice Loftus holds up the dinosaur mask he received at the Winter Wishes assembly. He said he plans to use it to play with his younger brother.