Page 94 - 1986

verybody knows who Santa
E is and everybody knows
what he does. He flies
around the world in one night, or
does he? Actually the truth is out.
Connie Derry Ron Gabriel He has helpers in every state,
English English province and country, you know,
sub-Santas. The sub-Santa who
covers the Nebraska scene is none
other than English Teacher John
Morrissey.
Morrissey started about 10 years
ago as a Santa at Omaha’s
Crossroads Shopping Mall. The
factor? Money. How much?
Enough for Christmas presents.
Even though the money wasn’t the
Rosie Hogan Mark Johnston best, he said he had experienced
English English, freshman everything. “I’ve experienced it
class sponsor
all—kids wetting their pants on me,
sticking suckers and ice cream con­
es in my beard and telling me their
innermost secrets.” said Morrissey.
The most touching comment came
from a 5-year-old boy who asked
“Santa” not to let his father, who
was in a car wreck the night before,
die.
Right now, Morrissey is a private
Santa. Between Thanksgiving and
~ Christmas he said he gets 25 to 30
Rita Keiser John Morrissey requests to be Santa. He has also
Reading, Personal English, freshman/
donned his own suit (made by
Communications sophomore play director
Westside Spanish teacher, Lydia
Burgos) and custom-made beard
and wig for family and friends.
He has a lot of acting experience
such as playing Daddy Warbucks at
the Upstairs Dinner theater, a
World Radio television commercial
and playing President Peron at the
Omaha Community Playhouse,
among other roles. He says his ac­
William Nouak Nancy Rice ting experience has helped him be­
English, assistant Journalism, newspaper, cause Santa is a character and “...I
sophomore class yearbook, photography, try to be as believable as any
sponsor English character I play on stage.”

f I
f I

Jan Rowley Daryl Taylor Charles Tichy Elizabeth Jack Donnelly
English, junior English, English English, debate, Ditton English
class sponsor, Ski Department speech English, Ski
Club sponsor Chairman Club sponsor,
junior class
86 EngliSh sponsor