Christmas tree in college center

Christmas tree in college center

By Kenneth Young (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Leah Eubanks-Mattress remembers the best Christmas of her life.

“It was 2012, and I went to Anderson, S.C., to visit my Grandmother and family down there,” she said. “I usually only get to see her once a year, which made this Christmas feel special. The present I enjoyed the most was being able to spend time with my family and receiving some much needed advice since I was getting ready for my freshman year here at Wesley.”

Many other students have similar stories of great Christmases past.

“I really enjoyed having Christmas at my older brother’s house,” junior Alainna Earl said. “It was 2009, and the house was full of people and delicious food. I usually never get to see my brother very much so it was enjoyable to spend time together. That was also the Christmas I received a Batman cape.”

Some great Christmases go way back.

“My best Christmas memory was back in 1996,” sophomore Kristin Gerenger said. “My dad and I had set up one of those trains that go around a track underneath the Christmas tree and we had put up these huge light-up bears next to the tree. I loved sitting in my living room with my family and watching the train go around underneath all of the different colored lights.”

Gerenger was only three at the time.

“Also, that year for Christmas, I got a big Barbie doll house that I absolutely loved,” she said. “I played with that dollhouse constantly. My parents said it was the gift I really wanted that year.”

Sophomore Rodney Young’s memory also includes both family and gifts.

“I was at my Aunt Joan’s house in west Philadelphia and it was on my dad’s side of the family,” he said. “My sisters were there, my nephews, niece, and many more people in my family. We all just sat around in the living room and everybody got their gifts. It was the year 2006, so I was about 10 or 11. The best present I received was a remote control car. This car would do the regular stuff but it would also twist and do things I thought were amazing as a child. My Aunt Joan got one for me and for my nephew, Shane. It was nothing but good vibes and everybody brought amazing food.”