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Now serving his fifth year as Iola Roberts Elementary School’s principal, Roy Bliss says that his being there is entirely a “God thing.”

Bliss started his Pell City career in education at Duran North. He said that he was spending half of his day teaching history, and the other half was spent tending to administrative responsibilities while he finished up his administrative degree at Jacksonville State University.  Bliss said that God totally let circumstances transpire in his favor when he was offered the job at Iola.

After five years of working at the school, Bliss has grown accustomed to the administrative side of education. Always looking to better himself and continue educational pursuits, he recently started back to school himself and is working toward a doctorate at Samford University. 

As much as Bliss enjoys the education world, whether it be through attending, teaching or administrating, he took a small break this week to reflect on how much he enjoys the holiday season. Bliss kept a smile as he reminisced and shared some of his Christmas favorites.

Favorite Christmas movie: The Santa Claus movies, starring Tim Allen. “They just strike at family and fun,” said Bliss. He said that these family-friendly Santa movies are a modern favorite, but he couldn’t leave out a childhood classic. The claymation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will always be one of his favorites.

Favorite Christmas song: Bliss immediately responded with Away in a Manger because it signifies what Christmas is really about. “I try to center my life around faith and family,” said Bliss. “Without the real reason for the season, which is Christ, we would not have any hope.”

Favorite Christmas tradition: “Family,” said Bliss. He said this is especially important now that his children have left the nest. “At Christmas they come home,” he said. A favorite tradition that lives on in his family was started when his children were very little and could barely understand. “We always light the fireplace,” said Bliss. “And then we read from Luke Chapter 2, the Christmas story.”

Another Bliss family favorite is food. He said that he has worked hard to establish a hearty Christmas meal for the family every year. He said Christmas to him is: “ Faith, family and food.”

Favorite Christmas memory: “My mom and dad bought me a bicycle for Christmas,” said Bliss. “But they also took time to explain the real reason for Christmas, or at least that was the first time I remembered them explaining it.”

Favorite Christmas present: Bliss excitedly told about a flip and flash camera that he received when he was around 12 or 13. “The camera had 110 exposure,” said Bliss. “I really thought I was something.”

Favorite part of the season: Bliss explained that there seems to be a time of change around the beginning of December. “The world seems a little nicer, a little kinder,” said Bliss. “You know, when people start feeling the Christmas spirit.”