Westminster High plans first homecoming carnival; district notes ‘Futures Night’ for youth sports pipeline

Superintendent Dr. Gatto and student council advisor Jen Barnhart described a first-ever Westminster High School homecoming carnival scheduled for Saturday from 12 to 3 p.m. on the north side of the building. Chartwells, the district’s food provider, will offer carnival-style food with tickets available for purchase, and the event will include live performances from the mariachi, marching band, choir, step team, cheer, and other student groups.

Barnhart said the carnival will feature tents with games, a splash tower (similar to a dunk tank), and athletic mini-clinics on the fields for football, volleyball and soccer. Students from other schools are invited to dress as characters from The Wizard of Oz. The board discussed logistics briefly; one board member asked whether the carnival might evolve into a parade in future years, and Barnhart said she has only been in the student-council advisor role two weeks and suggested tabling that idea for later.

Separately, board member comments highlighted a recent “Futures night” held at the softball program, where a 12-and-under team met varsity players after a game. Board members described the event as a promising pipeline activity and said it fostered connections between younger athletes and high-school players.

The board did not approve funding or contracts for the carnival during the meeting; the event was presented as a school-organized community activity.