When Cody Short steps into his Santa suit each December, it means a little more to him.
A native of Broussard, Short’s journey from biologist to high school teacher to beloved “Acadiana Santa” is a tale of giving back to his community during the most magical time of the year.
Growing up in Broussard, Short graduated from Comeaux High School in 1992 and went on to earn a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1997.
Later, he achieved a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, paving the way for a 21-year career as a high school science teacher. Along the way, Short worked as a biologist in California and Nevada before returning home to Louisiana to continue his scientific work and eventually find his true calling as an educator.
For Short, Christmas has always been a season of wonder.
“I love the music, the decorations, but above all else, I love the giving spirit of Christmas,” he said.
Becoming a father in 2007 deepened his appreciation for the holiday as he watched his daughter, Erin, experience the magic and meet Santa Claus. Little did Short know, this tradition would inspire him to don the iconic red suit himself.