This Christmas season at TCCHS teachers are lending a helping hand in a unique way: by sharing their voices.
A group of teachers came together to record a CD in order to raise funds for the annual Shop with a Yellow Jacket (SWAYJ) project. The CD is titled “It’s a Yellow Jacket Christmas 2014” and CDs are $10 apiece.
All profits made are being donated to fund groups participating in SWAYJ. For SWAYJ, groups of at least four students sign up to “adopt” a child for the day after raising $100 for the child to spend on gifts for his or her family and a small gift for themselves.
Though nervous for the reaction of the kids and the community as a whole, teachers were excited to be a part of such a fun fundraiser for a good cause.
“It’s a little scary to put yourself out there and record a song, but when you know it’s for a good cause you just can’t say no,” teacher Leigh Barwick said. “My hope is that hundreds of CDs will sell so that we can positively impact the lives of children and their families during this holiday season. It’s projects like this that make me proud to be part of TCCHS!”
Some teachers were inspired to sing songs that put them in the Christmas spirit and ones they thought would be perfect for the CD.
“I really enjoyed recording the song, ‘Merry Christmas, Baby’,” teacher Kimsey Hodge said. “It was a song that I originally heard Otis Redding sing and loved it. I thought it was a song that was as unusual as the CD project itself.”
Some students also have been involved with the project. Broadcasting student Hayes Nelson helped record the tracks, which allowed him to assist with the actual production of the CD and, in the process, taught him more about sound recording and editing.
“It was a wonderful learning experience and gave me more experience in the field,” Nelson said. “I think it is a wonderful idea since we get to show off our school’s talent and raise money for a good cause.”
The teachers that recorded the songs are all big advocates of SWAYJ and participate yearly to help provide a good Christmas for in need community children.
“Every year, my sons and I participate in SWAYJ because, to me, it is what the true spirit of Christmas is all about,” Hodge said. “It has become one of our favorite traditions in the Hodge household, to watch a child’s face light up as they buy presents for their family and him/herself. It’s a feeling like no other!”
CDs are still available and will be sold through Dec. 19 at TCCHS. This is the last day of school before Winter Break and the day before SWAYJ. Anyone wishing to purchase a CD should see Nancy Pickett in the Admin II office.