Snow Falls In Dublin, 'Gaels We've Lost' Honored At First Tree Lighting: SEE

DUBLIN, CA — More than 1,000 people attended Dublin High School's first tree lighting to celebrate the holiday season and honor students, leaders and loved ones who recently died, the district said.

More than 3,000 red and blue lights were strung across the school's 70-foot redwood tree to honor "Gaels we've lost" and "recognize the diversity of the district" and all of the holidays that its students celebrate, said Michael D'Ambrosio, Dublin High teacher and event coordinator.

Dublin Unified School District Trustee Catherine Kuo, Dublin High head custodian Derek Rosas and students Anik Suneja, Javier Ramirez and twin brothers Mark and Michael Urista were among those who died in the past two years.

The event included performances by the Dublin High jazz combo, choir and musical theater students. Best Buddies Students led a countdown to the tree lighting, district spokesperson Chip Dehnert said in an email.

Students were surprised by snow machines, which blew snow high into the sky moments after the tree was lit.

The ceremony also included remarks from loved ones of those who recently died, including district Trustee William Kuo, who replaced his late wife on the school board; Anik Suneja's father; friends of Ramirez and the Urista twins; and Dublin High Assistant Principal Paul Ferris, who spoke in memory of Rosas, Dehnert said.

Students also discussed the many holidays celebrated by members of the school community, including Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The ceremony also celebrated the forthcoming new year and included a "Let It Snow" singalong.

The tree lighting was the first in the school's 53-year history, and Dublin High hoped to make the tree lighting an annual tradition to "recognize the diversity of the district" and honor "Gaels we've lost," D'Ambrosio told Patch earlier this week.

"We just thought it was necessary to do something to not only bring the school together, but to bring the community together," he said.

See also: Dublin High To Hold First Tree Lighting Wednesday