Unwrapping the 2025 Season

Written By Jake Hallen

As of June 3rd, 2025, at 1:07 PM, the new Santa’s Surprise Squad season is officially underway, and trust us, this year is bursting with fresh energy, big changes, and more magic than ever.

A Brand-New Look: Meet “Henry” 🎅

Yes, we rebranded… again. But this one hits different.

Henry!

Introducing our brand-new logo and mark: Henry!
Henry captures the spirit of what Santa’s Surprise Squad is all about! Joy, movement, warmth, and surprise. He’s bold, cheerful, full of energy, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of him this season. Henry’s playful silhouette (decked out in a Santa hat, of course) now lives at the heart of our branding — a reminder that joy doesn’t just come from a gift, but from how you give it.

Meet the 2025 Director Team 🎬

Big things are happening behind the scenes, and we’re thrilled to announce some exciting updates to our leadership structure.

  • Our Season Director title is now officially Program Director, to better reflect the scope of work behind our growing program.

  • We’ve introduced three new director roles to help our squad shine:

Welcoming
Jenna Rodriguez – Assistant Program Director

Jenna is no stranger to the Squad. After leading as Head Volunteer in 2024, she’s now stepping up to help manage schedules, logistics, and cross-team communication.
She’s a future educator who believes in personal growth, kindness, and showing up for others even on hard days.


Welcoming
Danika Worthington – Creative Support Director

A performer since Season One, Danika is now leading our media team and supporting all non-dance volunteers. Her mix of drive and creativity ensures every moment behind the scenes is executed with care.
She’s outgoing, hardworking, and brings a perfect balance of academics, leadership, and spark.

Welcoming
Bahaar Rahin – Partnerships Director

Bahaar is brand new to the Squad but already making an impact. She’ll be overseeing all things sponsorship and agency coordination, making sure our partners feel the love. With a passion for healthcare and helping others through both tech and care, Bahaar brings compassion and professionalism to the team.

Welcoming
Janet Romo – Co-Choreography Director

After dazzling us in 2024, Janet is now helping lead choreography alongside Emma Klein. She’ll help shape the routines, lead rehearsals, and prep performers all season long. She lives by the quote: “Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours,” and carries that positive energy into everything she does.

Returning Directors 🎄

We’re excited to return as well:

  • Emma Klein – Choreography Director

  • Jake Hallen – Program Director & Founder

Both of us are grateful to continue building this program and creating unforgettable holiday magic together.

Emma Klein – Choreography Director

Jake Hallen – Program Director & Founder

Participation Program Updates 🎶

We're also saying goodbye to our Performer Groups A, B, and C model. In its place, we’re rolling out a new participation structure that focuses on flexibility, comfort, and helping our performers give their all, every time.

The Squad Shop Is OPEN! 🛍️

No more order deadlines, no more FOMO, introducing the Squad Shop, your go-to spot for all things Santa’s Surprise Squad merch, open 24/7!
You can now grab your favorite gear whenever you want, all season long. Click the "Squad Shop" button on our website to check it out.

New Donation Portal ❤️

We’ve launched a brand-new donor system via Zeffy, making it easier than ever to support the Squad. One-time and recurring donations are now just a few clicks away, and every dollar helps us spread more joy across the region.

Save the Dates 📅

Here’s a peek at what’s coming:

  • SOON – Partner Foster Agency Registration

  • SOON – Sponsor Registration

  • Aug 1 – Sept 7 – Performer Registration

  • Sept 1 – Sept 20 – Creative Support Registration

  • Late September – Performer Orientation

  • Late September – Creative Support Orientation

  • Early October – Late November – Rehearsals

  • Late November – Early January (Proposed) – Flash Mobs & Performances

We’re fired up, ready to go, and can’t wait to see what this season brings.

Let’s make 2025 unforgettable, and as always...

Discover the magic of surprise.

Jake Hallen
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