On Wednesday, Dec. 9, senior John Pappas began a tradition of giving a junior in Jazz Choir a stuffed beaver for the annual Secret Santa gift exchange, during the final period. It began Dec. 2011 when senior Grant Post gave Pappas the same beaver wrapped and in a duct taped Rubbermaid bin.

“It was a crazy thought,” Post said, “but I wanted to start something I would be remembered for, if it were my name or the tradition.”

Post received the beaver from a former Parkway West student Jack Collins’ home while he was prepping his house for his family’s move to Wichita, Kansas.

“Grant took the beaver from Jack’s house, and just gave it to me,” Pappas said, “I have no idea why he would do that, but it was hilarious. I probably laughed until I cried. We wanted to create this tradition because we thought it would be so funny, and we wanted to be remembered.”

Junior Trevor Dannegger was randomly selected out of a holiday stocking to receive the beaver. When Dannegger received the bin people were telephoning around the room what was inside.

“It kind of pissed me off when everyone was spreading that it was a beaver. It is best as a secret,” Post said.

Pappas explained the tradition while Dannegger opened the bin.

“I tore off the wrapping paper while I was circled by the whole class. I took the lid off the container. In it was a bunch of shredded newspaper, and on top was a St. Louis Blues snapback,” Dannegger said. “So I put the hat on, and dug a little deeper and pulled out the bizarre shape that was wrapped in pink paper. When John told me to be careful, I was laughing and wondering what it could possibly be. I set it on the floor and unwrapped just one end. The head of the beaver was revealed and was like “Oh my God; what is this?”

It is the role of the recipient to include the beaver in his or her daily activities on the day it is given.

“I got so many laughs and weird looks in the hallway that day, carrying around a random beaver with a chewed tail ready to fall apart,” Dannegger said.

Despite the whispers, the secret was still kept from the recipient.

“Being a sophomore last year, I never heard anything about the beaver being passed in jazz choir. After hearing what John said about the tradition, I felt honored that I was a part of this special thing in choir,” Dannegger said, “Not everyone can say they “got the beaver for Christmas in choir.”

Jeffrey and Justin Beaver have been offered as options to name the creature.

“It is currently on top of my display case in my living room. Most likely, it will stay there,” Dannegger said.

Legalities and proposals are being negotiated with music teacher Brian Parrish and the class.

“It was hilarious when he [Dannegger] opened that beaver, but it should be discussed and voted upon,” Parrish said.