PTSO Hosts Fall Fest

DAYTON - Students and parents in costumes filled the gym at Dayton High School for the annual fall carnival last Saturday.

Parent Teacher Student Organization President Ash- ley Kilts said the event was a success and raised about $1,300 to $1,500 for the or- ganization.

The organization uses the money to support the staff and students, Dayton Elementary School Secretary Dallas Dickinson said. In the last few years, the organiza- tion has donated money for accelerated reader awards, helped provide transporta- tion for elementary students to attend the Walla Walla Symphony, paid to have the Fifth Avenue Theater travelling group come to the school, paid to have the Palouse Discovery Science Center set up exhibits in the library, matched funds students raised for the senior center and put in playground fall material and equipment.

At least 100 people visited the carnival, which was packed with events and booths for students. Kilts said there were many standard carnival events, including a cake walk, games, a haunted house, a photo booth and a raffle.

"There weren't a lot of older kids, which isn't a bad thing because (the event) is pretty much geared toward the younger group," Kilts said. "It was a lot of fun."

Kilts said many of the at- tendees were kindergarteners and even younger. In the past, there has been a larger group of older kids, Kilts said. Volunteers who organized the carnival together kept the age group of the students in mind while putting the events together, Kilts said. The vol- unteers had to make sure the haunted house was interest- ing and exciting for all ages without being too scary for the really young kids. The haunted house was set up in the girls' locker room and was packed with volunteers jumping out in scary masks and hiding under benches. Kilts said there was also a pumpkin crime scene to keep the event exciting without being too gruesome or scary.

"I talked to a few teachers and parents and they said it was a lot of fun," Kilts said.

That response was gratify- ing, Kilts said because after she and other volunteers put so much work into the event, she really wanted everyone to have fun.

Dayton Elementary School Principal Katie Leid said she was pleased with how the event turned out. Leid said there were many prizes and awards for the kids to win including costume contest prizes. Baskets were also raf- fled off and Leid said she was surprised to see that the most popular basket was a bed, bath and beauty basket.

The event, which Leid said has been happening annually for at least 22 years, is one of the highlights for the kids and parents at the elementary school.

Kilts said many of the kids dressed up in Halloween costumes and some of the parents dressed up as well. Kilts said a lot of local busi- nesses sponsored the event and helped make the event a success. Coming up with vol- unteers is one of the biggest challenges, Kilts said. Two to four volunteers are needed to run each booth and the multipurpose room is filled with booths for the students and their families to visit.

Luckily, Kilts said there were quite a few volunteers helping out with the event. Leid and Kilts both said they appreciated help from sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible.

Leid said she has been helping with the carnival for nine years and Kilts said she has been helping for two years and is already planning to help with the event next year.