The Stepping Out Club board always plans the December holiday party to have the most people. There is no real answer to why the meeting before break is always the most popular.

• Is it the holiday cheer?
• Receiving presents?
• Food?
• More free time?

To answer these questions as the air gets colder, students get happier in anticipation of presents and being with family, homemade food, and less homework as teachers are winding down their lesson plans before exam prep.

“Receiving presents this week has made Christmas seem even closer,” said Hannah Abramson, 12. There was a Secret Friend gift exchange from Tuesday to Thursday and revealing of their friend on Thursday. The meeting was six days before Christmas.

The meeting was the day before winter break started; teachers typically do not give much homework before break due to students going on vacation. Winter sports are in full swing.

“This is the first meeting I attended because I had volleyball and was the first time I have been able to go,” said Elizabeth Izworski, 9. “The presents made me want to go as well.”

Although there were just two activities of exchanging gifts and eating, students love receiving gifts and what teenager doesn’t like food after a long day of school.

“This is probably my favorite meeting because we have the most members come,” said Katie Touvelle, 12, president of the Stepping Out Board.

The party went very well with everyone excited to receive their gifts and figuring out who their Secret Friend was.

“It went great. Preparing for this party with the board was not very difficult planning,” said Ms. Lindsay Schroeder, Stepping Out Club advisor.

No matter the reason for the most attended meeting of the year, all members enjoyed it.