Conroe Courier November 29, 2023

With the flick of a switch and flashing lights, two pairs of Conroe siblings signaled the return of the holiday season in the city Tuesday night.

Lucas Mendoza and Marissa Zuniga from Conroe High School and Hunter and Helaina Bernot from Cryar Intermediate are participants in Conroe ISD’s Project Mentor program. The four were chosen to light Conroe’s Christmas tree in Heritage Place Park as representatives of the program. 

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Each year a Conroe person or group is selected to set the city’s official Christmas 32-foot tree aglow for the season. 

According to the mission statement, Project Mentor connects community members with Conroe ISD students to foster meaningful relationships so students can successfully navigate school and life.

“Project Mentor is a great mentorship program that has worked for years. It doesn’t matter what your profession is; you can positively impact the kids in this program,” Conroe Mayor Jody Czajkoski said. “I’m involved and keep in contact with the students I’ve mentored … I’d like to see more people get involved in this program.” 

After Christmas tunes from the Joyful Sound Choir at the park, welcome speeches from Czajkoski and Conroe Mayor Pro-Tem Curt Maddux and a blessing from Little Flock pastor Justin Ulmer, the gathered crowd was full of anticipation for the lights to shine.

Ulmer spoke with his 5-year-old son, River, by his side on stage. Tuesday was River’s birthday and he was able to celebrate with those gathered. 

Prior to River’s birth in 2018, Ulmer and his wife, Brooke, experienced a miscarriage. 

“The year 2018 was very difficult for us and I know the past few years have been very difficult for a lot of you,” Ulmer told those gathered. “But God told us don’t give up and God said ‘I will console you.'”

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Revelers later moved to Metcalf and Main streets in downtown Conroe for the 7th Annual Christmas on Main event, which was created by late Conroe mayor Toby Powell to keep the celebration going after the tree lighting. 

Downtown shops were decorated for the season and youngsters visited Santa and sipped on hot cocoa. The Conroe Jazz Connection and Montgomery County Choral Society brought Christmas music to the streets as well. 

Festivities continue Dec. 9 when the Conroe Parks and Recreation Department hosts the Toby Powell Christmas Celebration starting at 11 a.m. in Heritage Place Park. 

At 1 p.m. Dec. 9, the Conroe Noon Kiwanis Christmas Parade start at the south end of Heritage Place Park. 

See more on the planned activities at the city’s website.