GHS's First Fall Festival

On Saturday, October 26th, Gallatin High School’s (GHS) Student Council (STUCO) hosted the school’s first fall festival. The idea was initially brought to the group's attention by Ryan Jessen, Student Body Secretary, who attended a district meeting last school year, an opportunity for Montana High Schools to share ideas and experiences. Several other schools shared their success with fall festivals, and the idea was born. This Fall Festival could be the birth of a community tradition and it could mean the growth of the GHS and Bozeman community

Over the past few years and especially more recently STUCO has been criticized by students for their lack of initiative leadership. Jessen admitted that for “The last few years it has felt like people think we (STUCO) are just there and don’t really do anything,” but the Fall festival is an attempt on STUCO’s part to get more involved. STUCO can and will, “Put on events if people want to see events,” according to Jessen. The festival was a step  to prove that  the student body is wrong about STUCO’s stagnant presence, hopefully kicking off more involvement from the group throughout the entire school year. Throwing an event full of food, games, and people, could be just the thing that STUCO needs to earn some brownie points with their fellow classmates. 

Both Jessen and Lazlo Baumgardner, the Student Body Vice President, expressed hopes that the future classes of GHS will carry on the fall festival as a tradition keeping the legacy of STUCO’s class of 2025 alive.   As a young school, being only five years old, events like fall festivals are promising ways to grow the inner community of GHS. Baumgarner also shared hopes to involve “ the greater Bozeman community by extending the festival’s invite to all Bozemanites, not just those with ties to GHS, saying that everyone should have the chance to “Experience our school community.” 

Many members of the school community were invited to make the fall festival full of things to do.  Both CC’s Steamed Buns and Mo Bowls, food trucks that have previously participated in GHS events, sold lunch to festival-goers. Volunteers from GHS’s orchestra performed briefly. Environmental Club hosted a dunk tank, featuring Student Body President, Pranshu Krishna, along with other students; Wood Club sold handmade goods crafted by club members; the Prom Committee accepted dresses and other formal clothing donations to be included in the annual pay-what-you-can, prom event, held later in the year for BHS and GHS students; National Honors Society hosted a bake walk, like musical chairs but with a sweet treat prize; UNICEF had pumpkin carving; Key Club gave out free cotton candy; DECA sold popcorn and drinks; Spanish Honors Society sold bracelets made by Central American artisans that fund scholarships, healthcare, and more for said artisans; Partners club  fundraised in the form of 1 dollar skee ball games; and more!According to Rotary Club member, Coby Congr, the festival was a great opportunity for “Community access and public relations,” for clubs and students. 

Although the fall festival showcased STUCO taking action on big ideas, improvements are still clearly necessary. According to Baumgarner, the group struggled most by making the festival more “Well known,” and “Getting the word out there.”Jessen also pointed out that the festival creators could have used “Better event planning,” and that this year there was “Definitely a little lack of communication.” The event, even though having a rather small turnout, has great potential. If STUCO can unite more successfully in the future, the GHS fall festival may just become an event to really look forward to for all of Bozeman.