ΔΕΦ members celebrate the holidays Delta Epsilon Phi, National Honor Society for High School German students, recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of learners of German. During the holidays, members of Delta Epsilon Phi like to do things in their schools and community to bring joy to others. Here are some of the great things they’re doing this year. At Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, TX, members of Texas Eta Iota celebrated Nikolaustag by collecting shoes for others instead of putting out their own shoes. The shoes will benefit a local children’s non-profit. As one member said, “It’s better to give than to receive.”
Members of Michigan Upsilon, from Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI, celebrated by decorating gingerbread houses. They also made fleece hats and scarves to donate to Warm Detroit, a charity created by a student at their school. They also collaborated with the French Honor Society by making Strohsterne, eating French food, and singing Christmas carols in both languages. The members of New Hampshire Nu at Kennett High School in North Conway, NH, makes it a part of their mission to give to local charities during the holiday season. They have had a tradition for the past seven years to give to three organizations. This year, they were able to give $500 to each shelter—a local animal shelter; the Gibson Center, a nonprofit that provides elderly people with meals; and Angels and Elves, a charity that provides Christmas presents to families who cannot afford them. The Delta Epsilon Phi members also participated in a school Christmas gift drive, where they bought gifts for teens and donated them to Angels and Elves as well.
Members of Colorado Alpha Mu at Horizon High School in Brighton, CO volunteered at a local elementary school during their Christmas festival. At Mexico High School in Mexico, NY, members of New York Theta are organizing a community service project for the holidays. The local Foster Care and Adoptive Parent Association hosts an annual children’s Christmas party, where Delta Epsilon Phi members play Santa’s helpers. In preparation, students collect stocking stuffers throughout December, and come together to wrap gifts and stuff stockings. On the day of the party, students will distribute gifts, serve pizza, and roller skate with the children. The members find it to be a very rewarding experience! 18
German National Honor Society Members of Pennsylvania Gamma Pi, from Ephrata Senior High School in Ephrata, PA, dressed up as Nikolaus and Knecht Ruprecht and visited each German class. They carried a book with information about which students were well-behaved, and gave out candy. Students also sang a German Christmas carol or told a Christmas poem by memory.
Members of Pennsylvania Alpha Omicron at Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg, PA, celebrated a traditional Nikolaustag at school and took a trip to the Mifflinburg Christkindlmarkt. At Linden High School in Linden, NJ, members of New Jersey Eta continue a tradition of visiting an Assisted Living home in Woodbridge, NJ. This year, they will present a video they made with holiday greetings and photos and a video of a Christmas light show in Atlantic City. For the residents, they also have Christmas cards, gingerbread men, and songs to sing. They will also play games that the residents enjoy, such as puzzles, cards, and stick ball.
Members of Missouri Alpha Omega at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, MO, held a Knusperhäuschen-Bau to benefit the Jewish Food Pantry in St. Louis. About 35 students attended. To participate, students had to bring either 3 canned goods or $4. The Delta Epsilon Phi members supplied graham crackers, frosting, candy decorations, marshmallows, and candy canes. Participants made 6 teams of around 6 people, and had 45 minutes to build. A Delta Epsilon Phi member and a teacher were the judges of the contest, with winners receiving German chocolates as a prize. The contest raised about 40 cans and $63 for the Jewish Food Pantry.
Delta Epsilon Phi members also hold a Christmas market in the school to sell German items and raise money for the German club.
Delta Epsilon Phi members of Colorado Omega at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, CO participated in a gift drive, where they raised money and collected presents to make the holidays better for a local teen. They organized an event to teach the history of gingerbread houses, and of course, allowed students to make their own! Members provided the materials and invited other German club members, as well as students from other languages in the school, to participate.
At Gretna High School in Gretna, NE, the chapter Nebraska Phi celebrated Nikolaustag by hiding approximately 130 shoes all over the school. On the morning of Nikolaustag, an announcement was made to inform students about the scavenger hunt for shoes. Students in the school collected the shoes and brought them to the German room for prizes of Gummibärchen or Milka chocolate bars. 19