Students engage with community

Taste of Tradition

Ann Pomeroy Editor-in-Chief @PomeroyAnn

Students engage with community through annual Taste of Newton event

Taking over downtown, the annual Taste of Newton event made its grand return on Sept. 30 after a brief time away due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions were lessened this September, Newton residents swooned at the idea of this social gathering being reinstated.

“I think that Taste of Newton is probably a highlight of our community’s year. We can all get together to enjoy the delicious foods, all while being able to give back to our local businesses and organizations who provided food at the booths,” senior Hallie Watkins said. “I’m going to miss it while I am at college next year.”

Taste of Newton is generally considered one of Newton’s largest events on its social calendar. The event has been taking place for the past 34 out of 35 years. Each year, vendors line up and down Main Street of downtown Newton selling a

1.) Serving up edible cookie dough and positivity at the STAND booth, NHS students freshman Estrella Negrete-Sanchez, freshman Gehrig Watkins, freshman Emma Zimmerman, senior Hallie Watkins and senior Savannah Hunsucker pose for the camera. Photo Courtesy. 2.) While working their shift at the NHS cheer bake sale booth junior Alicia Gaeddert, sophomore Daytona Doty-Helm and sophomore Violet Bartley make funny faces at the photographer. Photo by Caleb Smith.

5.) Focusing on his music, junior Ryan Ruggiero plays his saxophone at the downtown evening performance at Taste of Newton. Photo Courtesy. 6.) After performing in the Railiners showcase at the Taste of Newton, sophomore Mateya McCord captures a quick picture with senior Olivia Adams. Photo by Mateya McCord. 7.) Helping out customers freshman Karla Lopez-Correa works at the NHS choral 4| NEWS | FALL 2021 department booth to raise money for their upcoming trip to Disney. Photo by Caleb Smith.

8.) The NHS Railiners perform a dance while dressed in baseball jerseys at the downtown event of Taste of Newton. Photo by Caleb Smith. 9.) With a big smile on her face, senior Elly Green performs the NHS fight song with the Railiners. Photo Courtesy. 10.) Aerial footage of the event shows the vast numbers of Newton residents in attendance. Photo by The Kansan. 3.) Junior Mohamed Farah focuses while scooping up a big scoop of Chocolate Chip Cookie dough at the STAND booth. Photo by Olivia Adams. 4.) Proudly displaying their Disney themed apparel and choral department T-shirts, junior Lynn Morford and freshman Karla Lopez-Correa smile at the camera. Photo by Caleb Smith

variety of goods. Student organizations at NHS also participate in the event with a variety of booths and performances.

“[I attended the event due to] the cheerleading performance and the cheer bake sale. We were trying to raise money for new uniforms,” senior Alyssa Hamm said. “ I enjoyed performing at the Taste of Newton because our performance was fun to do.”

Given the size of Newton, you are bound to see a familiar face when walking around at Taste of Newton. This event is centered around socialization and provides an opportunity for reconnection with friends from all around the area. The socialization aspect of the event is what many look forward to each year on the chilly September Thursday night.

“I performed with Newton Performing Arts Center, The NHS Railiners, and the NHS show choir called Railaires,” senior Tabitha Buffalo said. “I enjoyed seeing everyone come together in our small town for the first time in a while. It was nice to see familiar faces of the previous graduating classes that I once went to school with.”