Mardi Gras day succcessful

Mardi Gras Day returned to Baldwin High School this year after its inaugural run one year ago. The event, hosted by BHS teacher Laura Beaulieu and her Life Skills class, hosts disabled and disadvantaged students from neighboring schools for a day of fun and to promote awareness. Mardi Gras day is a tribute to Beaulieu’s parents who were advocates for the disabled ever since her sister was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Beaulieu sees the event as a way to increase awareness for all involved.

“It is an awesome day at BHS for the people that volunteered to help and those that have disabilities,” Beaulieu said. “ I hope that the awareness people had today will last a lifetime.”

This year the event was enjoyed by around 40 students from surrounding high schools. Schools represented were Eudora, Gardner-Edgerton, Ottawa, Spring Hill and Wellsville. Many BHS students volunteered to assist run the various games and activities.

Senior Charlotte Nelick enjoyed the opportunity to help out.

“I had so much fun and I wish I could do it again next year,” Nelick said.

The day was kicked off by the Kansas Wheelhawks wheelchair basketball team that BHS junior Taylor Moore plays on. The Wheelhawks took on five BHS students and teachers in an exhibition game in the gymnasium.

Students at BHS enjoyed the excitement of watching the Wheelhawks play.

“I thought it was really cool,” junior Samantha Meisenheimer said about the game. “I would never in my life be able to do that, it was neat to see something like that.”

The event is pulled off with the help of many other volunteers from BHS and the community. The BHS culinary team provides a New Orleans style lunch for the participants. This year the newly formed Art Club provided decorations and crafts. Sheila Vander Tuig assisted Beaulieu with administrating and promotion for the event Members of the band paraded the participants through the halls of BHS to the beat of “When the Saints Come Marching In” to cap off the day.

Story by Colby  Soden, BHS Journalism