It’s carnival season!
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles marking the 50th Anniversary of Hartselle City Schools.
Crestline Elementary School’s Halloween Car nival has delivered tricks and treats to Harselle’s little “boos” and “ghouls” for many years now. Generations of families have made the carnival part of their October.
Former Principal Bobbie Long has warm memories of the carnival, beginning with the amount of work PTO parents put into preparing for and then working at the event.
Current Principal Karissa Lang adds that the funds raised have been invaluable to the school over its many years. “When we removed the old playground, we used funds from the carnival to help purchase a new playground. Our community can be thanked for that!” Retired special education teacher Lane Hampton is also nostalgic about the Crestline tradition. “In the 80’s, the hallways were packed with families, and there was chili and spaghetti sold by the plate or gallon. Bobbie Wesson’s classroom hosted the pick the witch’s pocket game, and Bobbie was always the witch. I even remember getting dunked in a dunking booth!” Bobbie Long additionally remembers the Teacher Revue. “Ed Land was a talented surprise! Robin Lane Wilson was another talent!” But Long’s real take-away was that the students weren’t judging the talent at all. “They saw their teachers in a different light, and they loved that!” Former Principal Robin Varwig adds, “I always looked forward to seeing what the Kindergarten Crew would choose to perform in the Teacher Revue. Each and every employee joined in to make this special! The best part was seeing the students’ smiling faces!” The memories are vivid for many who grew up in the community.
Aimee Perry Siegel- Class of 1982- We all looked forward to the cake walk, musical chairs, and seeing our teachers in that atmosphere. We loved it so much as kids, it made it a little sad when we got older and tried to go back.
Teresa Webster Nance- Class of 1984- I loved going from room to room playing the different games and seeing everyone dressed up in their costumes. And, of course, participating in the famous cake walks.
John Mark Waynick- Class of 1990- I remember Mrs. Hammond had an artist come to our classroom to build a paper mache E.T. That movie was all the rage at the time. It was completed before the carnival, so one of the attractions that year was to have your Polaroid taken with E.T. I had that picture for years.
Wendy Clemons Goss- Class of 1996- I remember maneuvering the maze in the dark as people tried to scare me, and sticking my hand behind curtains to squish eyeballs (wet grapes), intestines (wet spaghetti), brains, and blood. Jennifer Halbrooks Lee- Class of 1998- I remember the costumed teachers serving witches’ brew in the front of the school and selling raffle tickets to win a car from Eddie Preuitt Ford!
Sarah Wiley Shaneyfelt- Class of 2006- The Teacher Revue was the best part of Crestline Carnival. One year the first grade teachers wore masks on their faces and then danced to Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman.” It was hilarious! As an adult, I appreciate the rehearsals they committed to after school. I didn’t realize that as a student!
Christina Shelton Shannon-Class of 2008- My mother taught at Crestline for 21 years. I remember watching her plan, practice, and participate in the Teacher Revue. I now teach at Crestline myself, and I enjoy seeing my students’ faces light up as they watch our performances. It is a tradition that they will remember long after they leave Crestline.
Traditions to be remembered. That’s what this HCS 50th celebration is all about!
