Springfest: A tradition engraved in Wilsonville’s community since 2002. This is the time of year when a group of prospective students engage in challenges and dances to conclude who will appear for the Prom Court.
The tradition has been amended over the years to compensate for the loss of student involvement and to reinvent barriers that have, in the past, prevented students from being able to take part in the event.
Following the pandemic, Springfest served as an extremely sought-after event, signifying a participant’s popularity through a more pageant feel. The girls and guys were required to purchase specific, custom attire which would produce the classy feel, drawing many contestants in.
However, the expenses required to partake in the event (the cost of the gown/tux, shoes, etc) made it open to only a selective crowd, initiating Wilsonville’s move to amend financial drawbacks. Wilsonville steered Springfest into a new direction, away from a high-end pageant and towards an all-inclusive game show.
“That’s how it originated. It used to be like a big pageant thing that was like Prom Court, but it was like very financially not inclusive, so we changed it two years ago,” explains senior Emma Fauth, one of the student leaders working to produce Springfest.
Despite creating an all-inclusive atmosphere two years ago, Springfest had only acquired 6 couples who signed up, not quite the numbers Wilsonville had hoped. To increase Springfest’s pull, Emma explains that Springfest coordinators aimed to spread the word more extensively this year through word of mouth.
Springfest coordinators must have talked big and talked loud; word got around and drew in a whopping 14 pairs excited to participate as Springfest court contenders.
Attributed to this abundance of engagement, this year’s Springfest entailed two elimination rounds before the final game. The first game was showcased at the most recent assembly, where students must have had a sort of specialty with song titles.
However, despite attempts to narrow down the couples to a final eight, this first challenge left no couple eliminated. The second game’s planks and math problems cut to the chase, leaving the remaining 8 couples who will move onto the final round.
The final round will take place as a 24-hour challenge in April, where the last couple standing wins. While competitors are informed of the ‘survivor’ theme and told to bring themselves, swimsuits, and a change of clothes, the actual happenings of the event remain ambiguous, leaving an enticing surprise for those involved.
Contestor Julia Tatsumi explains, “The revived take on spring fest has made this event a bigger deal and is engaging and interesting. The survivor twist has brought out the competitive side of us (the students), which is a fun aspect.”
Depending on the outcome of this year’s ‘Survivor’ Springfest challenge, it seems that it may be the start of a new and improved Springfest tradition.
