On a far corner of the Estancia High School (EHS) campus, a Christmas miracle was taking shape, as seniors in the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) put the finishing touches on redesigned pieces of a beloved City of Costa Mesa tradition. 

Thanks to a partnership with the City of Costa Mesa, EHS students are connecting hands-on craftsmanship with civic pride by rebuilding cherished pieces of the city’s Snoopy House holiday display.

Started as a labor of love by former Costa Mesa Mayor Willard Jordan and his family in 1966, the Snoopy House display moved from its original location on Santa Ana Avenue to the front lawn of the City of Costa Mesa City Hall in 2011, when the city was then entrusted with the handcrafted holiday-themed scenes and cutouts paying homage to Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts.” Through the years, many pieces had begun to fade, crack, or warp. The city needed help, and Estancia students were ready.

On December 12, 2025, when the holiday lights switch on and families gather in front of the City of Costa Mesa City Hall for train rides and photos with Santa, the students will see the results of their teamwork woven into one of Costa Mesa’s most beloved traditions. 

The collaboration grew from conversations between Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) and Costa Mesa city leaders about creating meaningful, real-world opportunities for students. After a tour with city staff of the yard where the Snoopy House collection is stored, pieces of the annual display were identified for BITA Career Technical Education (CTE) program students to rebuild: Snoopy’s doghouse, Santa’s sleigh, a three-tier stack of presents, a pair of Christmas stocking cutouts, a couple of Christmas tree cutouts, and two skinny house facades. 

EHS seniors were divided into teams to rebuild each of the selected Snoopy House items. Students analyzed the aging structures, studied how they were built, and sketched redesigns. Ed Jasperson, EHS BITA CTE teacher from Coastline ROP, encouraged students to elevate the details while honoring the tradition and make each piece better than before.

“It gave the students the opportunity to use their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They had to design new pieces using what they’ve already learned about building, but they also could be creative and add to what had existed before,” Jasperson said.

“We wanted the stack of presents to look more Christmas-y,” said EHS student Rosselyn, who helped reimagine the towering trio of gifts. “The stack is the same size as the old one, but it has more details now. We made the bottom box taller and the top box shorter. We wanted to make it so kids could lean comfortably against them and parents could easily sit with their kids on the bottom box.”

The students were encouraged to add embellishments of their own. Soon, the list of projects grew, adding two more house facades, more trees, and a cutout of Lucy selling hot cocoa that’s designed for kids to pose with.

Once their designs were approved by Jasperson and the city, the student teams were tasked with creating detailed materials lists. The city provided everything from wood to paint, while the students supplied countless hours of fun, hands-on experiences. For a month, the teams worked through lunch, during homeroom, and after school, determined to bring these pieces back to life. Their pride in the finished projects is unmistakable.

For EHS student Javier, who helped rebuild Snoopy’s iconic red doghouse, the improvements went beyond aesthetics. “The hardest part was the roof,” he admitted. “We added the trim and made it sturdier. It’s better than the original. Anyone could climb on it.” 

The team that crafted the house facades also infused them with new charm. The flat-looking structures now feel more three-dimensional thanks to their redesign. “Mr. Jasperson told us to use our creative inspiration,” said EHS student Fabian. “We didn’t just paint on the windows, and we made the wreaths more detailed. We added the flowers to the front to give the houses something special.”

For the city, this partnership represents more than repaired decorations; it symbolizes meaningful youth engagement. “The City Council and City management have emphasized the need for more engagement of our city youth,” said Costa Mesa Community Relations Manager Broc Coward. “Snoopy House was the perfect opportunity.” 

According to Jasperson, the goal is for EHS BITA students to rebuild a few pieces each year. “We want to continue this partnership. The kids had the chance to improve their skills while building on a city tradition. It’s a great introduction to civic engagement,” he said.

As the students finalized their projects, former EHS student and now Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Manuel Chavez visited the site and reflected on what the seniors had achieved. “It’s incredible what you’ve done,” he told them. “This project is adding to the joy of Costa Mesa children.”

Though he’s never been to the display at City Hall, EHS student Javier plans to attend opening night, when the City will recognize his and his fellow EHS students’ efforts. “I might take my mom,” he said. “I could point to Snoopy’s doghouse and tell her, ‘I made that!’”