December has hit and Liberty HS and festivities are in full swing.

On Dec. 2, the Liberty Theater Company opened “A Christmas Story,” the annual fall play. This marks the first time in years that Liberty has chosen to perform a holiday-themed show, with Freedom High School, Liberty’s sister school, also breaking tradition by not performing a Christmas show.

Liberty ran three performances: two nighttime runs and a matinee Dec. 3. Tommy Forstch, a senior cast member who has been involved with theater since 2019’s “The Crucible,” said the show managed to bring the cast and crew together in a way that has not been seen before in his time at Liberty.

“I loved performing with my cast and I really feel like I’ve found a family in Liberty theater, more than I have in any previous production,” Forstch said.

Forstch and company will be joined by Liberty’s Pit Orchestra in the spring to present “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” the final send-off for many seniors who have been a part of theater since their freshman year.

Before the spring musical, the full orchestra will perform along with the choir for the annual holiday concert. This year they present a batch of new and familiar Christmas tunes, as well as a few that fall somewhere in between.

Standout pieces include an Irish-jig-inspired version of “Joy to the World” and the delightfully campy “Variations on Jingle Bells.” There will be two performances for the public to enjoy, Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door, so arrive early to secure your seats.

December doesn’t just bring musical mania, it also hails the start of winter sports. Indoor track and field, which typically consists of the most committed runners and jumpers looking to gain an edge against the spring competition, began Dec 5. The team will compete in the new year at various invitationals, starting with the Golden Wolves High School Challenge at Alvernia University Jan. 7.

Basketball and swimming both came out with a roaring start Dec. 6 against Nazareth, with the girls basketball team away and the boys team at home. Swimming also competed at home against Easton. All three teams ended their nights victoriously and have high hopes for the rest of their seasons.

The newly reworked student section, Category Six, was present at both home events. Now under the direction of physics and engineering teacher Walter Marshaleck, lovingly referred to by Liberty staff and students as “Mr. Bing,” C-6 has become a much more official organization. One hundred limited-edition T-shirts were handed out to people attending the boys varsity basketball home opener and an unprecedented 120 students came out to support their team.

Closing out the calendar year has Liberty seniors looking toward the end of their high school careers. Senior superlative voting has begun to take place, with top categories including “Most Likely to Win the Hunger Games,” “High School Sweethearts” and “Most Likely to Be Late to Graduation.” In addition to the fun activities that seniors get to participate in, many college admission decisions have been released and many student athletes have begun committing to the next chapter of their lives.

The winter months may bring the cold and earlier sunsets, but it also provides a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next one. Stay warm, and Happy Holidays from the Hurricanes.