The PALs program has many different community service events throughout the year, such as fundraisers, holiday-themed outings and helping local elementary schools with various events and occasions. Just before spring break on March 10, PALS had a handful of volunteers attended Cypress Elementary’s field day and watch the kids run through bouncy houses and go through various activities and stations.

Some PALs members, like Senior Evyn Fox, were able to have fun alongside the kids. Fox said she missed being at field days from when she was in elementary school and was more than happy to help. Between the elementary schoolers’ grades switching out to take their turn on the bouncy houses, many PALS members themselves took a turn on the bouncy houses and slides. 

“My favorite part of PALs is getting to meet other people and make new friends, while also helping my community,” senior Lauren Fowler said. “The field day was honestly as fun for us as it was for the kids, everyone had a great time and I was so happy to make all the kids smile.”

The field day was on a cool day with a temperature in the morning of around fifty degrees. Despite the weather, frozen popsicles were handed out to the young students. Many kids could later be seen going down slides or jumping in bouncy houses with a popsicle. 

“I couldn’t believe they gave the kids popsicles, it was so cold, I was literally freezing,” Fox said. “Even though it was super cold, every kid was running around with one, and I had to even stop them from bringing them on bouncy houses because they were getting all sticky and gross.”

The one activity that wasn’t a slide or bouncy house was two inflatable doughnuts that a student sat in the center of and attempted to push another student out of a ring with. The event was also a hit, and any students wanted to participate as a long line formed. PALs members and students would cheer on the students in the inflatable doughnuts as they battled to shove each other out.

“Students followed the rules and enjoyed themselves lots participating in all the different slides and bouncy houses, but our station, the inflatable doughnut pit, was also a great source of entertainment for the kids,” junior Dominic Caruso said. “They were having a lot of fun hitting the other students out of the ring.“

Some PALs members like Caruso even had their Palees, the younger children that PALs see and help on a regular basis, at the field trip. Students will leave the high school campus for a period and go interact with elementary students, give assistance and have crafts to do with them.

“Being in PALs is a lot of fun because we get to go hang out with kids and always get to do lots of cool stuff,”  senior Ian Fergson said. “It’s really good knowing that I have a positive impact on the kids and that they’re gonna see me as a role model, which just makes you feel good. It was also good seeing  the different grades having a fun time.”

Cypress Elementary had their field day entirely outside in different waves of grades, where a certain grade was able to play with PALs, while the other grades would play on the playground. The PALs members who were helping run the inflatables got to go out and get lunch.

“I enjoyed being at the field day, and seeing all the kids,” Fowler said. “Being able to talk to my friends and vibe out with them was cool, as well as being able to go get fast food at lunchtime.,  In general, it was a great experience for both the PALs and the kids. I think the kids had just as much fun, but I think it’s important for us to be there as they look up to us in a way.”