While most of us were enjoying our Thanksgiving breaks relaxing and filling our bellies, Heath Wilson was spending his time at school. Wilson, Cedar Ridge Elementary’s long-tenured janitor, decorates the elementary cafeteria for every occasion. During springtime, you will see bunnies and leprechauns on the walls. For Halloween, there are fake spiders hanging from the ceiling. But his Christmas decorations stand in a league of their own. With over 10 Christmas trees and thousands of lights, Wilson turns every inch of the cafeteria into a Winter Wonderland.
Wilson graduated from Newark High School (now Cedar Ridge) in 1988, and has been an employee with the District for 34 years. He has deep-rooted love for the Newark community, which explains why he goes above and beyond every year: to make students smile. Despite being deaf, students have learned how to communicate with him, forming friendships with the man responsible for their “Christmas magic.”
Students from Kindergarten through 5th grade anticipate the day after Thanksgiving Break every year, just to see what Mr. Heath has come up with. They get to enjoy eating breakfast and lunch surrounded by his creations every single day, but it’s also a treat for our community once a year at the Annual Christmas Craft Fair and Pancake Breakfast. Happening this Saturday (December 6th) at 8:00am, community members, parents, and Christmas shoppers can have their photo made with Santa, eat a pancake breakfast, enjoy student singing performances, shop booths from local businesses and crafters, and most importantly – step inside the “North Pole” of the district and enjoy all the decorations.
Wilson’s work is so much more than decorating a space, but a tradition that Cedar Ridge students will remember for years to come. His quiet dedication reminds us that the best gifts are in the love we give to others.
