History of the Program

Each year the district program coordinator, Dr. Patricia C. Watson, looks for ways to expand and improve the program.  This year, the district technology department is building a Special Events Tab on the Floyd County Schools district web page.  As this Special Events Tab is finished, anyone can access the Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program - past and current initiatives.  Students voices are recorded and can be accessed in our digital publication of their writings, too.                                                                                                                                                            

       In 2021, returning district program coordinator, Dr. Patricia C. Watson, encouraged a new design for the program in order to utilize technology to the maximum extent to showcase students and to give the community the opportunity to enjoy the voices of the students. As a result, several new features of the program came into place for the first time. In 2021, students were recognized via a WMDJ FM 100.1 radio program, and the featured author, David Rubel, spoke during the program about the writing of his book:  The Carpenter’s Gift:  A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Tree. Another new feature was the “twelve days of Christmas reading” of the featured book across schools and the district.

      The Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program functions with guidance of a district coordinator and school program coordinators. Students’ writing entries go through a judging selection process, and each student winner reads his/her selection on the radio.  This year, judges requested to meet in person at an assigned day and time; the judges worked with peers at the Big Sandy Campus in Prestonsburg.  The 2023 judges included:    Dr. Mary Ruth Wallen (current liaison to the district), Dianna Hall, Dr. Rebecca Mullins, Jeff Hicks, Daniel Bell, Emily Bevins, Angie Briggs, Charlene Carroll, Liz Cole, Stephania Conn, Vicki Daniels, Sabra Jacobs, Sabrina Jude, Leslie Bays,  Dr. Kathryn Miller, Brenda Miller, Charles Moore, Jasmine Sauceda-Izbrand, Missy Spears, and Nadine H. Hicks.  The judging event was October 20, 2023, and judges selected a county winner at primary, intermediate, middle, and high school levels.  A total of 209 winners were chosen. In addition, a Silver Salute —a school award - was given to South Floyd Elementary School and school coordinator, Ms. Misty Fitzpatrick. 

       In years 2021 and 2022, following the national health pandemic, the school district established an on-line judging procedure that allowed community judges to access a link to the master judging page to read the student’s entry. School winners were determined by scores. This year (2023) judges requested a face-to-face work session.  That request was honored. 

            After judges declare winners, DJ, Jammin’ Jamey Johnson from WMDJ travels to each school to record each student reading his/her selection. Then, December 1st, a daily rotation cycle with a featured school began on the radio through December 25.

            As a special part of the 25th year celebration, Dr. Watson added a segment titled:  A Blast from the Past. This segment was a retro-type event, involving ten students who participated in the 1998 Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program. These ten read their 1998 writings and told us what they are doing now  - 25 years later!  Their writings and photos were published in the 25th year celebration book.

       Also, for the second time, the school district was able to purchase each district winner a copy of the featured book, The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry and illustrated by P. J. Lynch.  This is the second time, The Gift of the Magi has been chosen as the featured book in the 26 years. The story shows how the characters are willing to sacrifice what they love most for the person they love most.                   

     A fun part of the 26th Celebration was the Ranger Rick Caudill “Ho! Ho! HO!” contest which began in 2011.  For this contest, each school chooses a student to give their best “Ho! Ho! Ho!” while Santa listens. Then Santa gives his opinion of who has the BEST “Ho! Ho! Ho!”  Santa’s special helper, Ronnie Hopkins, has been with the program since 2008.  Our Santa and the “Ho! Ho! Ho!” portion of the program is sponsored by Dr. Chip Salyers, Commonwealth Chiropractic Center, Prestonsburg, Kentucky.

     The 26th Celebration of Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program was held at Floyd Central High School’s auditorium, December 3, 2023.  Student winners and their families were invited.  The anticipated crowd was close to five hundred people. The program was streamed and can be found on the Floyd County Schools district web page and the WMDJ Facebook.  The filmed version of the celebration event is on the school district’s web page and You Tube. Special acknowledgment and appreciation of the work and enthusiasm of Jamey Johnson from WMDJ for all the recording and edits of the readings. Also, great appreciation for the work of Mike Bell and Amy Newsome, digital technology coaches for the school district. Thank you to each school coordinator who led the work in their schools to complete stages of the work and to communicate the different segments of the Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program. Thank you to Mrs. Greta Thornsberry, principal at Floyd Central High, Mr. Ricky Wells and students, Mrs. Sonya Slone, and all the students and staff who have made this a very special event at the  Floyd Central High School!

     The Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program is an original program, initiated in Floyd County Schools by Dr. Patricia Watson.  Other school districts have begun to borrow the program to create their own.  The Floyd County Schools and WMDJ FM 100.1  have received awards for Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program, including: a FIRST PLACE Special Events OASIS Award given by the Kentucky School Board’s Association and the Kentucky Public Relations Association. This state level award was given to recognize “fostering the best in school communications efforts.” This award was offered in alternating years; and the program was recognized in 2014, 2012 and 2010.  The state awards program has been discontinued.

      In review of the history of the Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child program, the program began in 1998 through an idea and efforts of Dr. Patricia C. Watson to give back to the community by “sharing our students’ voices.” Dr. Watson coordinated the program for the school district and worked along with corporate partners and school representatives, in 1998, 2006—2013, and again,  beginning in 2021 and she continues through the present.  Mrs. Nadine H. Hicks was coordinator, from 1999-2005; Mrs. Courtney DeRossett was the district coordinator from 2014 –2017. Then, program coordinators were:  Pam Caudill and Patricia Hackworth for 2018—2019.   No district program was held in 2020 due to the pandemic; some schools chose to do their own program.

    With great appreciation, we recognize those who have worked in the past as well as now, to support and grow the program and to produce it for the community, via WMDJ FM 100.1 radio:   Dale McKinney, Mona McKinney, the late Ranger Rick Caudill, Bill Marshall, Jamey Johnson, Sandy Howell, and all the staff at WMDJ.  Thanks for staying with us and doing this work for 26 years.  

            All 2023 students have their writings published in their own copy of a keepsake book as a gift from Highlands ARH; Our Lady of the Way ARH; McDowell ARH; the Highlands Foundation and State Wide Press. Thank you for the financial support and the heart to give to support our kids!