St. Mark’s Celebrates the Holidays

The 2024 holiday season at St. Mark’s culminated with one of the School’s most beloved traditions. With the community gathered in the W. W. Browning, Jr., Great Hall, and the band performing classic Christmas carols, each member of the Class of 2025 processed in, carrying their Lower School buddies on their shoulders. To the cheers of classmates, parents, teachers, and guests, the seniors walked their buddies through the crowd to hang handmade ornaments on the massive Christmas tree.

After carrying his buddy into the All-School Christmas Party, Student Council President Matthew Hofmann ’25 spoke to the audience about what St. Mark’s holiday traditions mean to him.

“On Tuesday, December 3, the senior class undertook the tradition of decorating the campus for the holidays,” Hofmann said. “At the end, we all stepped back to observe. The campus was filled with light. As I walked down the quad towards my car afterward, I realized what we could take away from this tradition is so powerful. This year, I encourage you all to give the gift of being the light in someone’s life.”

Hofmann also announced that the Student Council and Community Service Board Gift Drive had surpassed its goal of collecting more than 2,025 gifts for the local community. 

The All-School Christmas Party capped off an incredible holiday season full of joy and tradition. Through the season, boys shared their personal traditions through Diwali Chapel, Hanukkah Chapel, Advent Chapel, and Banner Chapel. On the evening of Tuesday, December 17, the wider community gathered in the candle-lit Chapel for the School’s 73rd Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols. Students also celebrated the season of giving through service events like sorting gifts at the Salvation Army, hosting McDonald’s Week in support of Austin Street Center, and the annual Gift Drive, which culminated with seniors dressed as Santa and his elves handing out gifts at David’s Place Head Start. Students, faculty, staff, and parents also volunteered at the Salvation Army Christmas warehouse and agencies throughout the Metroplex.

Major Dawn McFarland, DFW Metroplex commander, accepted the gifts on behalf of the Salvation Army and thanked the St. Mark’s community for their generosity.

“This year, through the Angel Tree program alone, the Salvation Army served 37,295 individuals,” McFarland said. “Thank you very much because you have relieved the pressure that parents feel, which is incredible when they have to choose between what’s going on the table and what they won’t eat so their children have something.”

Before dismissing school for the Christmas break, Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini left the boys with a few thoughts: “This is a time where our hearts are filled with gratitude and generosity, for we’re all incredibly blessed to be here together today. Thank you for all that you do to make this School and this extended St. Mark’s family such a special community.”

With that, Marksmen departed for the Christmas Break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 7.