Spring Fling 2012: A Huge Success

Brenda Hagan, the faculty adviser for the Student Council, the principal planning group for the 2012 Spring Fling, could not have been more pleased with Saturday's turnout on the Town Green! "It was a wonderful day of dunk tanking, moon bouncing, pie eating, and more!" she said.

Spring Fling is held every year as a fundraiser for children in kindergarten to third grade, and for the last two years, the funds have been directed toward an outside charity instead of the high school. Last year it was Habitat for Humanity and this year it was the Kasiisi Project.

"We raised over $4,000 to benefit the Kasiisi Project," continued Hagan, who proudly announced recently one of the project's scholars, Akandwahano Dominic, will be attending Harvard University next fall. This year's choice of charity was inspired by fifth grade teacher, Barbara Stevens.

I remember when I had Mrs. Stevens as a teacher, and her long-lasting relationship with the Kasiisi School in Uganda began. Thanks to her several trips and endless effort to support our sister school in Africa, students have grown to understand the incredible relationship that has been formed across the world through the years in Weston Schools. Therefore, events like Spring Fling end up having a far greater impact on the students who volunteer, who know they are changing the lives of students their age, just like them, in a completely differnt part of the world. 

I worked officially at four different stations on Saturday, and the constant influx of men, women and children across the thick green grass had me and my classmates constantly on our feet. "Children participated in obstacle courses, had their faces painted, decorated cookies, and learned about local community groups." It was truly a vibrant day for Weston! 

The Senior Class hosted the infamous dunk tank, which in 55 degree weather was surprisingly popular. Well, at least it was for the ticket-paying ball-tossers. The students who sat above the seemingly freezing water were brave and kept a positive attitude, but were far from comfortable. A huge "Thank You" is due to those students! 

While the festival stirred on the Green, the sophomore class worked diligently at their car wash up at the First Parish Church. Everywhere you looked, there were students working together for a common goal. I even saw several students who have already graduated, stroll through the Green. Spring Fling is definitely an all-community event. It'll be sad to not participate again as majorly as I did this past weekend, but I know the tradition of teamwork and celebration will continue in Spring Fling 2013! 

Special Thanks to the following groups who participated:

• WHS Classes of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
• Theater Company
• Gay Straight Alliance
• Muslim Student Union
• Jewish Student Union
• Asian Student Union
• Intergenerational Club
• Amnesty International
• the WCCA
• The Girl Scouts
• Weston Cultural Council
• Pure Pest Management
• The Town Crier
• Westword
• Boston Central
• Weston Forest and Trail Association
• Weston Police Department
• Land’s Sake Farm
• Weston Media Center
• Weston Fire Department
• Weston Parks and Recreation