Morrison festival nets over $20,000

By Janice M. Howard / Style Editor for the Southern Standard

Jacob Robert Elam chooses a prize from the container being held by April Farless, Morrison Elementary kindergarten teacher. (Janice M. Howard photo)

Morrison Elementary School was buzzing with activity as the annual spring festival recently got underway. The night’s proceeds totaled over $20,000, well exceeding last year’s amount.

A King and Queen Contest stimulated a lot of interest while adding $7,313 to the coffers. Prior to the festival, each class selected a king and queen candidate, then began collecting donations in support of them. By the end of the contest, Monty Childer’s class had collected $831.36 and April Farless’ kindergarten class donations tallied $1,131. Claiming the king and queen titles were sixth-graders Kane Fuqua and Ashli Kirby and kindergartners McKay Harrell and Skylar Youngblood.

A large crowd filled the cafeteria for dinner consisting of barbecue or hot dogs, cole slaw, chips and dessert. Pizza and other goodies were sold from the concession booth.

Students participated in games such as Plinko, ring toss, beach basketball shoot, speed ball pitch, cake walk and others. There were also temporary tattoos, cotton candy and snow cones.

John Madden Football champion was Chase Hullett with Robert Elam as all star; Nick Cantrell, Ms Packman upper division and Erin Dunn, lower division.

Each class was asked to organize theme baskets filled with useful items for the silent auction. Among the themes were popcorn and movie basket, rainy day basket, pamper yourself basket, scrapbook making basket and more.

Baked goods and other donated items were for sale in the country store with nursery stock going for one half price.

The very successful festival was organized by PTO president Brent Whitlock; Marla Cantrell, vice president; Cindy Holland, secretary; Laura Mingle, treasurer; with much assistance from parents and school faculty.