I responded to an invitation to attend the festivities at Voyager Elementary School’s Fall Fling a couple weeks ago. My only regret: I’d not been able to attend previous presentations. What a gush of happy, enthusiastic, involved kids, parents, PTA volunteers and fun!

Principal Patty McClelland said, “Fall Fling, sponsored by our fabulous PTA, was a huge success. For two full hours, the gym was busy with happy kids and parents, participating in the many events that definitely had the feel of an old-fashioned carnival. What I appreciate most is that, thanks to our PTA, we have several affordable evenings throughout the year when our school community is able to come together and enjoy. Thanks to Malin Forhan for an incredible job organizing it, our student council for collecting food, our business community for generous donations, and our local Firefighters and their fire truck students were able to explore.”

When asked how he won the pie eating contest, kindergartner Kavae Niazi said, “I had this song stuck in my head and I know I’m a fast eater.”

Kopachuck seventh-grader Anders Carlson, who volunteered in the Spin Wheel station, said, “It was a lot of fun to return to my previous school and help with Fall Fling.  I thought this year’s was the best ever with more of a carnival theme, a pie eating contest, exciting games like balloon popping, the hammer striker, and an amazing raffle with cool prizes. It was great helping out younger kids and making it fun for them.”

Student Council President Benicio Rivas, a fifth-grader who spent much of the evening at the entryway collecting food for the food drive, said, “We collected about 17 boxes of food. That’s a lot!”
He added, “The raffles were pretty cool and I liked the guy who made balloons — anything you wanted.”

Fall Fling Chair Malin Forhan said, “No child is ever left out of an activity or field trip due to lack of funds. The funds we raise through Fall Fling directly benefit children from our school community. Together with Carnival Times, we created a place for kids to try their luck, their strength, and the chance to race friends or parents popping balloons.”

Every step of the way Forhan was overwhelmed by support from Voyager parents and the Gig Harbor business community.

“When I reached out for donations, they responded generously,” Forhan said.  “Kohl’s even sent four volunteers as part of their Kohls Care community outreach program. They made the cake walk one of the most popular stations of the night.”

“It was really fun,” said first-grader Luke Walker. “I was the winner at the spin wheel and went to both bounce houses.”

“The pie contest was fun with my friend in it,” said second-grader Giovanni Marinelli. “I banged the hammer smash and got a big prize. Outside there was a fun bounce house and there was really good food.”

Classmate Hannah Albrecht said she “had a lot of fun because I won a cake at the cake walk. I never won one at my old school. Making bottletop necklaces was cool. You could make something for your siblings.”

“I really liked the cake walk,” said third-grader Peyton Smith. “I won some really good cookies and feel happy for kids who won stuff. I like how the school does fundraisers — you pay and then you get prizes!”

Peyton’s classmate Jack Kelly said he “got in the fire truck and got to see all the axes and three crowbars. I won at basketball shoot and 10 times at the duck-picking-up game. I am sad for the people who couldn’t come to Fall Fling. I wish they could be there!”

Fall Fling is a carnival style event open to all Voyager student body, staff, and their families with the goal of inspiring a sense of community in our school, said PTA President Jackie Wright.

“While a fun and social event, the Voyager student counsel along with staff adviser, Mrs. Rhonda Haug, took this opportunity to give back by collecting non-perishable food items for the Back Pack 4 Kids program,” Wright said.  “Kopachuck Middle School, Voyager families, and Kohl’s ensured that everyone was happy and having a great time; there was something for everyone.” 

There simply isn’t space in this column to list the variety and large number of contributions made by so many.

It takes a village!