North Hills School District’s holiday-themed efforts raise money for families in need

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Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 4:15 p.m. | Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 4:15 p.m.

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Dominic (left) and Lilah Trout visit with Santa Claus during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Aseelah Faraj (left) and Altahir Faraj wear traditional clothing of Libya during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Ninth grader Leah Byrne (left) and 10th grader Brianna Kelly show their Christmas spirit with festive eyewear during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Sophomore Wyndsor Ussack (left) and senior JoAnna Saad volunteer at the cookie-decorating table during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Steffany DePaula serves Guaraná Antarctica, a favorite soft drink in Brazil since 1921, to guests during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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North Hills High School junior Niamh Greer collects donations for families in need during the holiday season. Photographed at the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Sydney Porter (right), president of the North Hills High School chapter of the German National Honor Society, and Maddi Szymanski, co-secretary, hand out flags of Germany during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Juniors Paul Ejzik and Anna Bopp display clothing of the ancient Roman Empire during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Raine Dickinson paints Aubrey Stokes’ face during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Liv Snyder shows the colorful work of face-painting artist Grace Snyder during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Junior Blondina Murtezi (left) and senior Jenna Woelke volunteer at the s’mores-making setup during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Senior Eli Dicken and junior Faith McAtee volunteer at the s’mores-making setup during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Grace Brackin decorates a cookie in one of the activities offered during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

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Charlie Addison volunteers at the Hilltop Heroes Club table during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 at North Hills High School.

Harry Funk | TribLive

North Hills High School activities coordinator Chelle Zimmerman greets guests during the Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World event on Nov. 22 .

The weather may have been frightful, but the proceeds made folks smile.

Despite cold, steady rain on event night, North Hills School District’s Hilltop Holiday Town and A Night Around the World raised $1,551 on behalf of families in need, including $200 in online donations.

Inside the high school, guests participated in holiday games and crafts while having the opportunity to decorate cookies and make s’mores. Santa Claus was on hand to hear about youngsters’ wish lists.

Meanwhile, guests could travel “around the world” by visiting classrooms featuring cultural insights into different countries, from Libya to ancient Rome, plus a stop in Pittsburgh.

On the heels of the extravaganza, the district requests that community members to send pictures or short videos of their homes and businesses decorated for the holiday. Visit www.nhsd.net/district/news/details/~board/news/post/north-hills-community-lights for instructions on uploading.

Those who submit are asked to consider making a small donation to North Hills Cares to help district families in need this holiday season. Submissions must be uploaded by Sunday, Dec. 15.

North Hills High School students will then use the submissions to create a video to share with the community prior to the start of winter break on Dec. 20.

For more information, contact Evan King at kinge@nhsd.net.