This autumn, the senior class is starting a new tradition. On Saturday, the 16th, student council members hosted the first annual fall festival. Together, they worked hard to promote community engagement and create a fun event for all ages.
Although this festival was the first of its kind, the turnout was impressive. Student council adviser Jessica Murphy noted that the number of children and teens who participated exceeded expectations. She said, “My favorite part is just seeing how many different types of people came, and they all really enjoyed it.”
The student council put significant effort into making the festival as enjoyable as possible. They met before school for weeks to prepare the games and collaborated to order decorations and prizes. Paisley Norris, secretary of the junior class, described their efforts saying, “We came in advance to set it up, decorated, [and] we had to decide how we wanted to run it.”
The student council arrived about two hours before the festival started to help set up games and decorations. Although they had a lot of work to do, a carnival company set up the booths and funnel cake station, allowing the council to focus on other tasks. The booths featured fun games like football throw, fishing, and high striker, which tests participants’ strength with a hammer.
Ms. Murphy discovered this company while searching for activities for the Homecoming dance.“The people we use for tarot cards and balloon animals at homecoming, [have] a ton of carnival games. So we were like, ‘Let’s make this a festival—like a carnival kind of festival.’”
From freshly made funnel cakes to real-life tickets and prizes, the fall festival was truly an indoor carnival. Each game was decorated and operated by members of the student council, who rotated throughout the day. Paisley enjoyed working at the different games and tables, with her favorite being the entrance table, where she could meet various kids and families. She also enjoyed the face-painting activity. Although she didn’t work on that game, she said, “I liked the face painting because I think that the people who did it are really talented.” She added, “I liked seeing all the kids run around with their faces.”
This significant level of community engagement was exactly what the Student Council (STUCO) aimed to achieve. Luke Burke, the student body president, elaborated on the fall festival’s goals, highlighting Lakewood’s community values. “I think when we look at Lakewood, we take so much pride in the community aspect of it, and the fact that we can proudly say you’re a ranger” he said. “I think we have to have things and do things that will bring in community engagement. I think as a student council that is our job.”
The community was eager to enjoy a fun event despite the dreary weather. Parents could take their kids to the high school cafeteria and experience as much enjoyment as they would at a sunny summer carnival. This was one of the goals the student council aimed to achieve. To brighten the longer, colder months, they decided to create their own community event in the fall. Norris expressed, “There isn’t anything currently going on in the fall that’s like this, especially not in the fall.”
Burke shares a similar opinion with Norris, stating, “We want [the fall festival] to be something that students and families can look forward to in the fall, especially during a time [when] it’s cold and there’s not much to do.”
Student council members’ final goal for the fall festival was to encourage the tradition for upcoming classes. They hope to start an annual carnival that kids and families can look forward to each year. Similar to the summer meltdown and winter parade, Lakewood students will be able to grow up attending the festival. And as the years go on, more and more people will join and participate in the games. Ms Murphy stated,“I definitely think this event will come back bigger and better.”
The fall festival was a bright spot in an otherwise dark and rainy month, and it is hoped that it will continue to bring joy for many years to come.
