A Night of Celebration and Community at Three Lakes and Riverside’s Family Night
By Joy Koenig and Brandy Nelson | Published: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Last night, Three Lakes and Riverside High Schools hosted their highly anticipated "Family Night," marking the first time the event has taken place since 2019. Families, students, and staff gathered for an evening of fun, creativity, and community-building.
Principal Joy Koenig kicked off the night with a warm welcome, sharing her excitement and gratitude with the crowd. "It's an honor to welcome you all to our Family Night," Koenig said. "Tonight is a special opportunity for us to come together as a community and celebrate the incredible work and progress of our students."
With the return of Family Night after a three-year pause, Joy highlighted the importance of the evening, acknowledging the challenges that students have faced along the way. She noted how the presence of the families serves as a reminder of the ongoing support and encouragement the students receive. "This is what makes our work so meaningful," she remarked.
Family Night offered something for everyone and featured a wide range of activities designed to engage both students and guests. Attendees enjoyed warm drinks from the Coffee Cart and took memorable snapshots at the Photo Booth. For those feeling creative, the Pumpkin Painting and Face Painting stations offered the chance to showcase individual style.
In addition to the festivities, students had the opportunity to display their hard work. Teachers set up tables with displays of student work that showcased the various programs they are involved in. The Fab Lab students added a special touch by creating custom family night stickers and lasered projects which were included in swag bags for attendees to take home.
Throughout the evening, attendees were encouraged to participate in the Family Night Bingo Card challenge, with exciting prizes up for grabs. Prizes ranged from chapstick and mani/pedi vouchers to a grand prize of an iPad, sparking excitement and 100% engagement from all.
French short films that were created by students in the Hospitality class offered a touch of international culture. One of the highlights of the night was the chance to try out the heavy equipment simulator, virtual welder, and a zwift bike – all experiences that drew in students and parents alike.
A moment was taken to thank the dedicated MESD school staff for their hard work in making the event possible, with special recognition given to Kalynn Coon for organizing the event. "This work with the students, both in the classroom and through enrichment activities, continues to make a positive impact," Kalynn stated. “I’m glad to be a part of the team.”
Cabinet member and HR Director, Bernadette Adeniran, represented MESD from the district level. Her parting thoughts were: “I am so glad I stopped by! It was amazing and what a happy event for students and families. It lifted me up – THANK YOU!”
As the evening drew to a close, families left with not only swag bags, photo booth memories, flower bouquets and painted pumpkins, but also lasting joy from celebrating the achievements of the students. "It was amazing," one student said. Exit surveys to parents included phrases like: “Yes!” “Have it again soon!” and “Thank you for creating a special memory for my child and me.”
With the success of this year's Family Night, we look forward to the event next year, strengthening the bonds within the community and continuing to support the growth and success of our students.