Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
All five campuses at Athens ISD have their own ways of celebrating the holidays: pajama day, “ugly sweater” day, Christmas music programs, special foods and treats. At Athens High School, one of their traditions actually builds upon itself from year to year: It’s the memory keeper tree.
The tradition began four years ago when Jami Ivey took over as principal at the high school.
“Our tree wasn’t personal, and we were trying to tie our faculty together,” she said. So Ivey came up with the idea of having everyone contribute an ornament to the office Christmas tree which echoed themselves or their professions in some way. Expressions of faith and hobbies and family began to fill the tree, and it has grown every year since.
Ivey’s ornament is a sparkly high heel reflecting her well-known appreciation for stylish kicks. A tiny chandelier-shaped collection of books was handmade by a librarian; a coach contributed a soccer ball, another a baseball; an assistant principal carved out a mini wooden paddle; a small gavel was hung by the debate teacher; the consumer science teacher added a spatula this year; a science teacher repeated the abbreviation for the element Holmium three times, which just happens to be Ho, Ho, Ho. Study the ornaments long enough, and you’re sure to get a chuckle or at least ask for an explanation.
“I like the tree because it represents individual personalities and makes us feel more like a family instead of just a faculty,” said Registrar Caryn Wilbanks.
“Now, when we decorate the tree, it’s meaningful,” said Ivey. “When new teachers come, they look and see our history. It’s a memory keeper.”
