Student's senior project is Santa

MOSES LAKE — Children can come take a picture and visit with Santa during Friday’s agriculture parade.

Moses Lake High School student Zhanna Dotsenko is putting the event together as a part of her senior project. Photo opportunities are from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the empty building next to the Firefly Cafe in downtown Moses Lake.

“There will be plenty of signs around so people can easily find us,” said Dotsenko, 17.

Dotsenko said she hopes the event brings families and friends together.

“I wanted to do this because I love music and I wanted to explore leadership by coordinating something for the community,” Dotsenko, 17, said. “This is not a fund-raiser. My goal is for people to have fun and for kids to enjoy their pictures.”

One photo is $4 and additional photos are $2. The high school band is performing Christmas music while families visit with Santa.

“The band is dividing into groups and playing during the parade at corners of the streets,” Dotsenko said.

All proceeds go toward the high school’s associated student body program.

Dotsenko said another goal of the event is to expose people to the band. She is the vice president of the band, plays the clarinet and takes singing lessons.

“Music is a big part of my life and I am so excited to have the musicians playing,” Dotsenko said. “I started playing instruments when I was 7 years old and haven’t stopped since.”

Dotsenko said she couldn’t have organized the event without help from teachers and parents of her peers.

“It’s been really rewarding putting everything together and getting ideas from everyone,” she said.