Tradition with a Twist

October 20, 2011
Filed under News

Westminster’s New Spin on a Longstanding Annual Event

By: Jocelyn Sheffield – staff writer

Fall Carnival has been a tradition at Westminster for more than twenty-five years, but it is significantly different today than it was in the past. “In the 80’s the school actually brought in carnival rides [amusement park type rides] and sold tickets,” said Marty Peters, librarian.

Carnival has obviously changed drastically since then, and it continues to improve year by year. For example this year’s carnival was different than last year’s. The biggest highlights of this carnival, which took place last weekend was the addition of new booths. Many classes added one or more booths this year, but of all of the booth’s that made their debut last weekend, two stood out from the rest.

Sharon Degnan, Upper School Study Hall Supervisor, sponsored a Juice Plus booth this year for the first time ever. Degnan claimed that her purpose for having the booth was to share the happiness she felt after adopting a healthier lifestyle.

“I am a health and wellness person, and I wanted to have a booth that allowed people to experience the joy I experienced [after using Juice Plus and becoming more health conscious],” said Degnan

Another important new booth this year was Upper School Spanish Teacher Joan Dudley’s FORAI booth. FORAI or Friends of Refugees and Immigrants is a non-for-profit ministry that helps refugees to survive by teaching them how to make handicrafts they can sell.

According to Dudley, the organization teaches the refugees how to use their hands and then sends them home to practice by sewing and making jewelry and other marketable items.

FORAI representatives then inspect the immigrants products to make sure they are on the right path and then pays them based on the quality of their goods.

“[The immigrants] aren’t just left on their own. There is quality control,” said Dudley. After the refugees receive the proper training, the are ready to sell their products to make a living.

The FORAI booth at carnival featured jewelry made by the refugees and was a way to raise money so the organization can continue assisting immigrants.

Both Degnan and Dudley wanted their booths to be positive additions to this year’s carnival, and both the Juice Plus and FORAI booth turned out to be a success.