At the entrance of the senior carnival June 1, two carnival food trucks attended by lines of Newtown High School seniors stood in front of the grassy expanse of the backfield, which was transformed by a large ring of inflatable carnival attractions.

The event was a celebration for the class of 2023, who seemed to participate with boundless energy and enthusiasm on the hot, summery day. Several teachers could be spotted joining in on the fun.

Science educator Chris Carley explained the senior carnival concept started in 2021, during pandemic times.

“This replaced the senior dinner dance, because we had to be outside,” said Carley, from atop the dunk tank. At the popular attraction, students exerted multiple attempts to land him and other teacher volunteers into the water.

Social studies teacher Mr Edwards commented that the 2023 carnival was “the first time of this scale and this style with these types of activities.”

There was an inflatable laser tag arena, entirely enclosed, with muffled, delighted screams heard from just outside. On their turn, groups of students geared up with their gun-sensors and entered into the space, emerging drenched with sweat. The hot weather did not seem to deter any students from the activity. Alison Flannery, NHS French teacher, was one of the educators who seemingly dared to enter.

There were plenty of spaces for the class of 2023 to face off against friends. One was a wrestling ring with large inflatable bars two students could whack each other with, while their peers cheered. There was one enclosed area that seemed to have a wrecking-ball-like structure, a bungee cord activity that tested how far students could run while attached, whack-a-mole, and other activities.

On the mechanical bull, plenty of seniors were able to steady themselves on the “level one” setting, but nearly everyone was thrown off seconds into “level two.” Students gathered to encourage their classmates as they grappled to stay on the machine.

Before entering, class advisors Megan Guarino and Staci Stamm greeted students collecting and selling tickets, as well as directing students to the raffles going on inside of the cafetorium.

According to Stamm, 275 members of the senior class signed up for the event beforehand.

“We’ve been working with the senior class council for the past four years,” said Stamm. “Our senior class council kids elected to do this instead of our dinner dance.”

The raffle and beverages inside were donated by families and local businesses, as Stamm explained.

“It was a community event,” said Stamm, who explained the raffle items and beverages inside were donated by families. She added they really tried to pull from local businesses.

Some of the businesses she listed for their involvement were Nutmeg Concessions, Mr Softie, Super Fun Inflatables, Innovative Inflatables, and BD Provisions. Newtown Hook & Ladder had filled the dunk tank.

“They’ve known since last year that they wanted to do this,” said Principal Dr Kim Longobucco,

“It’s fun to watch the kids do fun things,” she said. “It’s a high school field day.”

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.