New Winter Carnival King and Queen crowned in Woodland

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     The traditional wooden toboggan is a perfect way to enjoy the snow “together” for Woodland Carnival participants, from front to back, Abby Page, Addison Trombley and Delaney Crouch, all 8-year-olds from Woodland.

By Joshua Archer
Staff Writer

    WOODLAND — The Woodland Consolidated School celebrated its 56th annual Winter Carnival Saturday, and participants enjoyed sunny skies and slippery slopes.
    The competitive juices were flowing from pre-K all the way up to adults. Students, parents and teachers competed in sledding, snowboarding, tobogganing and more. Spectators witnessed wipeouts, red cheeks and smiling faces. Even former students made the trek to Woodland for this year’s Winter Carnival.

    “It’s great for the community to get out, the students participating, and it’s good for the families as well as the staff. My staff, from pre-K to grade 8, are here today helping out,” said Woodland School Principal Susie Schloeman.
    Along with outdoor activities, Winter Carnival attendees enjoyed food, and participated in gift drawings, inside the gym. Local businesses, as well as parents, donated items for each drawing with proceeds benefiting the Woodland PTA. Folks sipped hot cocoa and chowed down on chicken stew while placing their names in cans for the chance to win clothing, movie tickets and home decor.
    “Money from the drawings goes right into PTA projects. The PTA gives right back to the school. A big project they’ve done is our playground equipment. A wonderful group of parents,” Schloeman said.
    Sherri Parker, PTA president, has had her hand in winter carnivals since her daughter was in pre-K. She coordinated all the activities and volunteers, along with her six-member planning committee.
    “It’s been wonderful. Kids had a great time, and we’ve had great volunteers,” Parker said. “I love doing this. It’s a great community event, and this year we’ve had more adult participation than we do kids!”
    The day ended with the crowning of this year’s Winter Carnival King and Queen. Eighth-graders Ghent Durepo and Hollie McDougal donned crowns inside the school gym. The crowd cheered them on as each gave an encore performance of their winning public speaking addresses, performed in a contest earlier in the week.
    The new king and queen gave medals to winners of Winter Carnival events. Students and adults received so many medals, they could be heard jangling through the parking lot as this year’s festivities came to a close.

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     Alexis Parker, 12, Woodland: “Winter carnival is fun, I get to hang out with my friends, and we win medals.”

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     Addison Trombley, 8, Woodland: “I think sledding is really fun. I go sledding a lot in the winter. I like big hills.”

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     Crowned Saturday as Winter Carnival King and Queen were Hollie McDougal and Ghent Durepo, 13-year-old eighth-graders attending Woodland Consolidated School.

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     PJ Thorton, 12, Woodland: “I do every event I’m allowed to do – skiing, snowboarding, tubing and other stuff. I come to winter carnival because it’s fun. I like snowboarding the best.”

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     Sarae Greenier, a Caribou High School student, took part in Woodland’s Winter Carnival on Saturday.

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     Hailey Cote, 7, Woodland: “I’m here to have fun. I like sledding and playing in the snow.”

Republican photo/Joshua Archer     Matt McCormack, 12, Woodland: “I’m hanging out at the winter carnival like I do every year. It’s fun, I get to hang out with my friends. Snowboarding is nerve wracking, but it’s fun.”