Students from eight elementary schools in the Garden Grove Unified School District participated in this year’s Adopt-A-Child event at Pacifica High School on Wednesday, Dec. 11. 
Special guests at Pacifica High School’s annual Adopt-A-Child event included Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean (center), GGUSD Board of Education President Teri Rocco and Garden Grove Superintendent Dr. Gabriela Mafi. 
Pacifica High seniors purchased gifts for their kindergarten counterparts based on wish lists they received in advance. 
On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Pacifica High gym buzzed with excitement as the younger students opened presents and participated in festive activities with high school seniors. 
For more than three decades, Pacifica High has hosted the Adopt-A-School tradition, which pairs seniors with kindergartners for a morning of holiday cheer. 
“It’s heartwarming to see the joy this brings to so many children,” said County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, who attended the event along with Garden Grove Board of Education President Teri Rocco (right).
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas for nearly 400 kindergartners in the Garden Grove Unified School District, thanks to Pacifica High School’s annual Adopt-A-Child celebration.
For more than three decades, the high school has organized and hosted the winter tradition that pairs seniors with local kindergartners for a morning of holiday cheer. This year’s version, held on Wednesday, Dec. 11, featured gift-giving, cookie decorating, games, train rides, photos with Santa and performances by Pacifica’s student groups.
Seniors received wish lists from the kindergartners, using them to thoughtfully select and purchase gifts ahead of the event. On Wednesday, the Pacifica gymnasium buzzed with excitement as the younger students eagerly unwrapped their presents and participated in festive activities with their senior counterparts.
Special guests included Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, GGUSD Board of Education President Teri Rocco and Garden Grove Superintendent Dr. Gabriela Mafi.
“Events like this demonstrate the incredible commitment of Pacifica High School and the Garden Grove Unified School District, under Dr. Mafi’s leadership, to creating meaningful experiences for students,” Dr. Bean said. “It’s heartwarming to see the joy this brings to so many children.”
Eight elementary schools participated from Garden Grove Unified, which was kind enough to share the photos above.