Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
Photo by Madison Bierl
East County
Schools
Share
Surrounded by Christmas-themed inflatables, holiday lights, and a petting zoo, 3-year-old Maverick Finan approached the man himself, Santa Claus.
With two of his sisters by his side, 7-year-old Capri and 9-year-old Madelyn, Maverick jumped up and down as he told Santa he wanted a trampoline.
Their mom, Michelle Finan, said they came to Braden River High's River Wonderland, which was on Dec. 8, in support of another daughter, Kali. Kali is a senior at Braden River High School and is one of the 45 members of the school's Student Government Association which planned the event.
"It was beautiful last year and it's beautiful again this year," Michelle Finan said. "It's exciting when the kids walk in. It's fun and there's a lot to do. There's good energy."
Dan McLean and Stefanie Minihan are the Student Government Association advisors who lead the students in planning for the event.
"There's so much thought that goes into it and it's the most amazing experience to watch it happen," Kali Finan said. "You go from working on it all day, to getting to see everybody enjoy it. It's so cool."
"This is what really sets Braden River apart, all the extra stuff that we try to do for the community," McLean said. "Other schools try to replicate what we do, but haven't been able to pull it off. That's a testament to the students that we have here and the support from the administration."
Twelve other clubs were involved in creating and running games for the children at the event.
Senior Paul Close and junior Allyson Abercrombie were among the group of students to play Christmas themed songs as part of the Braden River High Jazz Band.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jiyabella Abraham, 5, is eager to talk to Santa. She says she didn't want to request certain gifts, but wanted Santa to pick out what he thinks she would like.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Nicolly Alvarenga Gomez, a junior at Braden River, makes sure the goats at the petting zoo get some nice pets.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Creekwood's 4-year-old Peyton and 11-year-old Paige Jessop are eager to give cuddles to a bunny in the RCC Farm Experience petting zoo.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Camila Castro, 6, is excited to step into her elf shoes and meet Santa at the North Pole.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Student Government Association advisors Dan McClean and Stefanie Minihan were in charge of the planning and facilitation of River Wonderland with the help of their SGA students.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Braden River High senior Isai Palacios took festive to another level with his Christmas tree costume for River Wonderland.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Collins Krueger, 3, is all smiles for her homemade binoculars and the glowing dinosaur.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Gigi Bryan, 8 and Gabbi Bryan, 6 prepare to jump in potato sacks through an obstacle course at River Wonderland.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ryan Barr and Valeria Garcia, a senior at Braden River, pose for a photo in front of the many backdrops available at River Wonderland.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Jadelys Solorzano, 4 and Maximuz Duprey, 8, show off their gingerbread men crafts they made at River Wonderland.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's William Kirby-Maye, 10, plays the Tower Down game created by the Red Cross Club at Braden River High School.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Braden River High School cheer team performs for attendees of River Wonderland on Dec. 8.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Charles Wilmott, Joshua Sallee, Jeremiah Dejesus and Zander Mason play saxophone as part of the Braden River High Jazz Band.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Nikolai Lysaa, 5, was eager to touch every animal in the RCC Farm Experience petting zoo.
Photo by Madison Bierl
This goat from RCC Farm Experience, which offers mobile petting zoos, wanted a taste of Christmas.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Braden River High School Jazz Band members Cein Mejia and John Franco perform at River Wonderland.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Members of the Student Government Association at Braden River, who were responsible for the event, perform to the song Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
