Cakewalk raises funds for Winnipeg trip

By Ken Johnston
Editor

While life is rarely a cakewalk, it was just that for students at Riverview School last Thursday afternoon.
As part of a fund raiser for the grade 7 and 8 class trip to Winnipeg later this spring, school librarian Rose Tetu revived an activity that she said her church used to use to raise money about 20 years ago; A Cakewalk!
The effort involved asking families to donate a cake to be won at the event. “I am hoping for ten cakes,” said Tetu Wednesday. When the dust settled Thursday afternoon there were an astounding 30 cakes donated. “It is wonderful,” said an elated Tetu.
Tickets were sold to the students for 50¢ each. One ticket would allow a student to participate in a cakewalk. Each cake was paraded around the crowd and if they thought they might like to win it they would line up to go on the cakewalk. Up to 52 could go on each walk. The first one had about 20 participants as people were unsure of what a cakewalk was. A giant flower for each of the students participating in each walk was placed in a circle. They then were told to find a flower to stand on. Then the song “Walk Right In” was played. The participants would then walk around the circle from flower to flower until the music stopped. Then they would pick up the paper flower and see if it said “Winner” on the bottom. If it did they won a cake.
After the first round everyone wanted to get in the action. 43 participated in the second cakewalk and Tetu concerned there was not going to be enough time to award all the cakes decided to put four cakes up for the winning.
The event was a huge success and very popular with the kids. They raised $230.00 for their trip and will use it to help with expenses.
Student Derek Lauzon, said that they are going to Winnipeg in June and will be visiting Old Fort Garry, the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, the Royal Winnipeg Mint, an Imax theatre and will be attending a Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game.