Set to succeed through students and spirit
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Staff Writer nly two things can result from 3,500 spirited high school students standing under one roof: madness and great memories.
Hosted by the California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta, High School Madness is a memorable event for everyone involved.
“The energy in the stadium is fun to be around,” recalled Central Union High School Associated Student Body Director Sara McFadden on attending the event last year, which attracts thousands of students across the Imperial Valley every year.
Set to begin at 6 p.m. March 6, the event will be held at the Imperial Valley Expo Grandstands, although it doesn’t necessarily hold all those who wish to attend.
The Fair & Fiesta has become aware of this issue and this year has expanded on a way to include their left-out audience.
For proud parents and students who do not make it through the gates on time, a big screen at the Rabobank Stage — located behind the Casa de Mañana Building — will be live streaming the event.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for parents. They can watch the live stream while enjoying the fair,” said fair spokesman Bill Gay, who added that the annual event will also be live streaming on the Spectrum website.
Gay explained that students waiting until the evening of the event to buy tickets increases the chance of them not getting into the High School Madness event, and announced that tickets, which will remain the same price as last year, will be sold exclusively on each campus this year to solve this issue.
An estimated 3,500 eager viewers packed the grandstands last year, and there are no signs the amount of students or spirit will reduce this year.
“It’s spirited, but its friendly. It’s something that is unique to our Valley and it’s a great way for the high schools to come together and combine their spirit and competition,” remarked Gay, who added High School Madness has become a major event in the fair.
Brawley Union High School ASB Director Dina Self agreed with Gay, stating the event also provides a sense of community spirit by all the schools getting together.
“We have a lot of great things going on at our high schools and it’s special all our students could be able to come together and share the energy and pride,” said Self.
“We’re out there to represent our community and have a good time. It’s all about celebration,” stated Self, whose school received top honors in 2015 and ended Calexico High School’s three-year winning streak.
Last year, Brawley placed just below Central, who won first place, and McFadden stated she is looking forward to how her school performs this year.
“It was a great feeling last year. The students were very excited since it had been some time,” remembered McFadden on her students winning last year.
The Central ASB director enjoys how the event lets students really represent their school in a positive way and noted the energy and crowd is worth seeing.
“In terms of people wanting to come see it, the success speaks for itself,” said Gay.