Dec. 12, 2007 — With a grin as big as Santa's belly, Jerome Mercer, a 7-year-old Julius E. Sprauve student, had no words when asked why he turned out Wednesday for the annual Governor's Christmas Party in Cruz Bay Park. His smile just got bigger and bigger.
Other pre-kindergarten through second-grade students from St. John's public and private schools weren't so short of words.
"I'm here for the presents," said Shaquan Mactavious, 7, a Julius E. Sprauve School student, as the kids waited in Cruz Bay Park for Santa to arrive.
Bonocio Bartlette, 5, of the Gifft Hill School, said he was also there to see Santa.
"I like getting toys," he said.
The event came with a least one lesson for the kids.
"Don't forget to say thank you," said Gifft Hill School teacher Ruth Frett.
First lady Cecile deJongh said a total of 171 St. John students would get gifts from Santa.
This year's event was a departure from the usual evening format, with the children arriving with their teachers for a morning visit with Santa.
The first lady said she decided to organize the event in this fashion so she could get an accurate head count provided by the schools to ensure that each child got a gift. In previous years, she said, the kids at the end of the line sometimes went home without a gift.
"And all the gifts are educational in nature," she said.
Businesses across the territory contributed enough money to buy presents for about 6,000 students, the first lady said. Similar parties will be held on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
For the first time in many years, the governor came to the Governor's Christmas party. This is Gov. John deJongh Jr.'s first year in office.
"This is a time of year for family and tradition," he said as he greeted throngs of children gathered in the park.
As he talked to reporters, one little boy ran up to tell him "you're the captain of the ship," before dashing away.
It was important to be on St. John because island residents have often said they feel left out, deJongh said.
"I heard them loud and clear," he said.
The event was important because it depicted the spirit of Christmas, said Santa's helper, Barbara Thompson, who works in the St. John Administrator's office. Nothing warmed her heart more than to see the kids excited about seeing Santa and getting presents, she said.
While it was a day for kids, the event also attracted visitors passing by.
Sylvia Janetzki, a five-time vacation villa visitor from New York, said it was interesting to experience Christmas in the tropics, since her hometown has snow.
"And it's very cute to see all the kids," she said.
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