Pumpkinfest allows public to see North Star students at their finest
Christmas crafts were just some of the items sold by the nearly 200 vendors. (Right) Teagan McDowell and Rube Buxbaum were two of the student volunteers during Pumpkinfest.
A long-standing fall tradition has turned into an opportunity in Amherstburg.
This year’s North Star High School “Pumpkinfest” had nearly 200 vendors for those looking for that special item, and it was also a chance for visitors to learn just what students at the school can do.
From greeting guests and selling raffle tickets to displaying works of art and culinary skills, North Star is more than just books and classroom education.
As hundreds checked out all to offer on Saturday, Rosalind Stuebing was more than willing to tell the River Town Times about the unique skills of her charges in the kitchen.
“They do many amazing things. They get out of their comfort zone. Sometimes we have 200 to feed,” said Stuebing.
A former student at the now closed Western Secondary School where Pumpkinfest all began decades ago, she said those in the culinary program at North Star do everything from writing and creating menus to cooking and serving.
“It doesn’t matter if they choose it as a career, it’s a good pathway.”
Stuebing noted that the students go into classrooms and talk to their peers, asking them what they want for lunch and design menus accordingly.
“They serve lunch to the students but today they are serving the public. They were here at the crack of dawn,” said Pumpkinfest co-ordinator Sam Thomas, who is also a teacher at North Star.
When guests came to North Star, they were able to see artwork as well as some very creative designs that were crafted in a shop including pieces inspired by the school name – Wolves.
“We make stuff out of aluminum and brass and try to show everyone what we can do,” said Luca Jurilj.
Jurilj is part of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and hopes that the many projects he has done over the past couple of years will lead him into a welding career.
Pumpkinfest was a huge fall attraction at Western Secondary School and when it closed and merged with Amherstburg high school, the tradition continued at North Star.
There were numerous vendors with Christmas items this year, displaying some unique holiday gift ideas along with authors, photographers and painters.
Thomas has been in charge of the event the past five years and is retiring so she is proudly passing the organizational baton on to Roma Williamson.
Pumpkinfest allows public to see North Star students at their finest
By Fred Groves
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