Photos by Samantha Bengtson
SOLEDAD — Butler Amusement and Soledad Education Foundation came together to host the annual Spring Carnival on April 12-15 at Frank Ledesma Elementary School.
Several local groups set up food booths within the carnival, including Soledad High School’s FFA Ag Boosters and NJROTC, PANESC and the High School Class of 2020.
“The proceeds from the booths go to their clubs, which are all education related,” said Amy Beleu, vice president of Soledad Education Foundation. “They did pretty well. We had a lot of people come through this weekend due to the weather.”
The Sober Grad Committee is also involved in the carnival by double checking for admission stamps, and teachers volunteer their time as well, which helps them get grants for supplies.
Before the carnival takes place, students and their families are able to purchase ride tickets at the Soledad Unified School District sites, which gives a higher percentage of the ticket sales. Soledad Education Foundation receives all the proceeds from the entrance fee at the gate that goes toward scholarships, school site grants and the teacher grant.
This year the foundation had the goal of raising $35,000 and is planning on giving out three scholarships to seniors. Scholarships go to students who are planning to attend a four-year college, a two-year college or a vocational or technical school. Funds also go toward the school sites for them to give staff appreciation gifts.
“We want to thank our sponsors, AA Glass Shop, Belli Architectural Group, Smith Family Wines, Sturdy Oil Company, Lozano Smith LLP and Tucci Learning Solutions Inc.,” said Beleu.
The foundation is currently looking for volunteers and sponsors for future Spring Carnivals.
