To view an exclusive online slideshow of the carnival, please click here.

Students and families from the St. Louis community came together in the Whitaker parking lot this weekend for Thurtene Carnival, an annual event organized by the Thurtene Junior Honorary.

“There is increased community involvement this year. There are 300 kids who came here for free and just seeing all the kids is great,” said junior Sydney Schneider, public relations officer for Thurtene.

The 300 students brought to the carnival were a part of a joint effort between Thurtene and Anheuser-Busch, known as “Kids to the Carnival.” The students were transported to the carnival and received subsidized ride tickets.

In a similar vein, 40 children from the fifth grade class at New City School performed a step dance, in addition to performances by campus groups-including Black Anthology and a number of a cappella groups.

“It’s wonderful. It’s great to see the kids. We couldn’t have had a nicer day, weather-wise,” said Sheri O’Gorman, a mother whose son performed with the step team.

The goal for this year’s Thurtene Carnival was to continue a commitment to environmental sustainability that began during last year’s “Green Thurtene.” New additions this year included using B-5 generators, which operate partially on bio-diesel, setting up a recycling center and offering opportunities for education about environmental sustainability.

Additionally, the honorary has added an award for the “Greenest Group” that tracks attendance at Earth Day Events, the recycling of construction materials and the use of latex-based, as opposed to oil-based, paints. The Greenest Group award went to Chi Omega and Beta Theta Pi.

This year, the Burmeister Cup for Overall Excellence, the most coveted prize awarded, was given to Pi Beta Phi and Theta Xi.

Other awards included: the Daniel J. Buckley award for best construction, given to Alpha Phi and Sigma Phi Epsilon; the Sarbacker Spirit Cup, awarded to Delta Gamma and Sigma Nu; and the award for best production, given to Alpha Epsilon Phi and Alpha Epsilon Pi.

Aside from the facades, awards were given for best game booth, by Alpha Phi Omega, and best food booth, by Tau Kappa Epsilon.

The awards ceremony marks the culmination of several weeks of rehearsals, planning and last-minute construction. Throughout the celebrations, Thurtene members have stressed that “Lot Week,” the week preceding the carnival during which all construction is assembled, was safer than in the past.

“We are here as much as anybody, and when we see someone who has been here and working for too long, we will tell them to leave and get some sleep. It’s dangerous to do this on zero sleep,” said junior Jeff Weiss, a construction and electrical officer for Thurtene. “There have been a few, freak isolated accidents, but it’s part of the risk that goes with building.”

One member of Kappa Sigma fraternity cut off part of his thumb while using a staple gun and a member of Chi Omega sorority was hit in the shoulder by a falling power drill; both students have recovered.

“It’s always a little nerve-racking to be in charge of amateurs who are using professional construction equipment,” said Barry Dan, a junior and overall for Alpha Epsilon Pi.

Despite the construction concerns, Thurtene members agreed that this year’s carnival was a success, noting the enjoyment of the kids and the popularity of this year’s rides, as well as the food and game booths.

“It’s nice that they did this for the community,” said St. Louis resident India Cotton.

Popularity: 1% [?]

 Print This Post

This entry was posted on Monday, April 23rd, 2007 at 12:00 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.