By Sara Ballenger

joe hu/town crier

Santa Claus took time out of his busy schedule to make a stop in Mountain View Dec. 19.

Students in Alta Vista Continuation High School’s Leadership Class, which is like student council, hosted kindergartners from Castro School at the Fourth Annual Tiny Tots Christmas Party.

Students ate Christmas treats, sang Christmas carols and Santa gave out a total of about 115 presents to the Castro students, said Leadership Class adviser John Figueroa.

The Los Altos Kiwanis Club and the Mountain View and Los Altos Rotary donated all of the gifts, said Bob Adams, past president of Los Altos Rotary. Alta Vista Principal Bill Pierce donated the high school’s buses to transport the children.

“To see the smiles, energy and the enthusiasm the kids get is a good thing,” Adams said. “We had everything from books, art supplies to stuffed animals,” he said of the donations.

Leadership students organized all of the activities and wrapped all of the presents.

“The students do everything,” said Perla Sanchez, a Community Health Advisory Council (CHAC) counselor at Alta Vista. “We do a different school every year. It’s the most fulfilling for our students.”

Leadership students enjoyed helping the younger students during the holiday season.

“They might not get as many presents on their own. It’s good helping the kids,” said Stefanie Atchison, a senior in the leadership class.

It was fulfilling to the students at Castro, as well.

“It’s just a wonderful experience for the kids,” said Andrea Moore, a kindergarten teacher. “It’s especially great to see the kids from the high school. They are really sweet with them and they really enjoyed each other. We really appreciate it.”

Santa, Figueroa and his students have already begun planning for next year.

For more information, call Leadership Class adviser John Figueroa at 691-2439.