Santa and Mrs. Claus took a break preparing for Christmas Eve by posing for pictures with hundreds of children Nov. 16 during Prairieville High School's "Donuts with Santa."
The event, a fundraiser for the school's swim team, also featured games and other children's activities.
Parents of the swim team helped organize the event along with coach Kenneth Ridgdell and assistant coach Lucy Babin. The swim team's 19 members volunteered at the event.
The $15 ticket included a digital photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, doughnuts and beverages.
The event sold 268 tickets, which will help pay for the team's apparel and swim meet fees, among other things needed for the brand-new high school's swim team.
The school welcomed its first year of students in August. The swim team completed its first season Nov. 1.
Prairieville High School Principal Randall Loving said the "Donuts With Santa" was a success for not only the swim team, but also the community.
"Today's turnout is impressive," Loving said. "It's great for this to be one of the school's first events. This has been a good way for the swim team to raise money because they don't receive gate money like the football team and some of the other sports.
"The community has been ultra supportive of the school since the beginning with the construction to running the new campus and to first-time events."
The event was not the only happening on campus that day.
"Today, the campus is busy because we are also shooting winter sports team pictures and there's a girls soccer game this afternoon, but nothing beats Santa," Loving said.
Ridgdell dressed as Santa Claus and brought along his wife, Lori, to pose as Mrs. Claus. The couple owns a business, "Santa and Mrs. Claus," in which they dress as the merry couple for private appearances.
Ridgdell said the event was just the start of fundraising goals for the team.
"We have goals to help pay for the usage of the pool for practice at the Jambalaya Park Pool, the swim league and meet fees and, of course, to make sure our swimmers represent the Hurricane family."
Babin said the swim team started the season with no money for equipment and apparel. Holding more fundraisers to help move the team forward is a goal coaches and parents would like to accomplish.
"We'd like to expand the uniforms and accessories," Babin said. "The clothing, such as team jackets, will help them feel like they are part of a team, even when swim season is over.
"There are a lot of fees involved such as pool and meet fees. The Prairieville High booster club has helped us a lot and we appreciate that," Babin added.
Babin said the swim team and their parents were the force behind the fundraiser.
"Today's fundraiser is because of the swim team and their parents," Babin said. "The kids get to work together as a team, even when the season is over. It's a way to come together to work and raise money themselves."
Freshman swimmer Lauren Wheeler said the event helped keep the team connected.
"Donuts With Santa is a great way to get the community involved and spread cheer," Wheeler said. "It's a wonderful event and it brings smiles to our faces.
"We were together for months in practices and meets and we've all bonded together. Even now with the season being over, it's a fun way to be together while helping our team."
Samantha Pasqua, another Prairieville freshman swimmer, said the fundraiser provided an opportunity for the student body.
"Today is something that gets the Prairieville High students involved," Pasqua said. "There are a lot of kids here today that will come to this school when they get older."
Parent volunteer Margaret Pasqua said Ridgdell has been a driving force in helping the new team find its footing in the high school swim world.
"He was basically a sponsor himself," Pasqua said. "He donated his time, decorations, and craft kits. We wouldn't have been able to do this without his help."
The event also consisted of photographer Blake Stone with Southern Fire Photography along with sponsors Thee Heavenly Donut, CC's Coffee House, and Kleinpeter Dairy.