By Leatrice Ciaravella and Kariela Sigala
Hundreds of Vail residents flocked to Vail Academy and High School on Friday, April 12th, to enjoy the 9th Annual Boxer Expo.
Principal, Dennis Barger, after receiving 3 pies in the face
The Boxer Expo, named for the school’s mascot, the Boxer dog breed, began in 2000
4th grader, Embry Ciaravella, shows off her unharmed egg while Mr Barger prepares to let another egg drop contraption fly from the roof
as a way to bring the Vail community together while showcasing Vail Academy and High School’s focus on the STEM fields. What started as a modest school-centered family night has grown into a large community-wide event featuring dozens of exhibitors, hands-on activities, and STEM stations among many other festivities.
This year’s event brought back the previous 3 person planning team of middle school science teacher Brett Batty, kindergarten teacher Alison Hawkins, and PTSO president Leatrice Ciaravella. Combining their skill sets, the trio was able to secure 25+ community exhibitors who showcased various aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive activities and demonstrations.
2nd grader, Nola Ciaravella, holds a small turtle from Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue and Education
Slithery snakes and other friendly reptiles abounded at the Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue and Education booth which was a popular stop amongst children and adults alike. While patrons held frogs, turtles, and snakes, owner and educator Cressi Brown shared fun facts about reptiles and information regarding the group’s rehabilitation efforts. Cressi Brown shared that, “Participating in the Vail Academy Boxer Expo is the perfect opportunity for Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education to get in front of kids and give them the chance to interact and be hands on with reptiles. We try to create an experience in which they can see a side of reptiles they may not have been able to see otherwise. We enjoy these events that let kids learn on their own terms to be understanding and respectful of these unique animals.”
On the other side of campus, patrons of all ages signed up to test their puzzle solving IQ in the Jurassic Park themed escape room sponsored and designed by the VAHS Science Olympiad team. With doors designed to replicate the towering Jurassic Park entrance, teams of 5 entered and had to work together to restore power and find dinosaur embryos. Once the quest was accomplished, their escape was dependent upon dodging “dinosaurs.” Luckily, all teams made it out alive.
Children also enjoyed the chemical reactions of tactile STEM stations made possible by Raytheon volunteers which included art slime and borax bouncy balls amongst others. Meanwhile, visitors constructed containers from straws, pipe cleaners, and other materials to protect their eggs during the timed egg drops in an attempt to defy physics. Various departments from the University of Arizona donated their time and talents to provide educational and interactive displays where visitors watched a 7ft flame, experienced static electricity, viewed themselves through infrared lenses, and much more.
The Boxer Expo culminated in one final event: Dennis Barger, Vail Academy and High School Principal, received three whip cream pies to the face. The center of campus filled with VAHS students, staff, families, and community members alike trying to catch a glimpse of this rare happening. Two kindergarteners and one senior had the honors of pie throwing, and although the first pie was dodged, all three students got the satisfaction of smooshing the sweet treat in their principal’s face. Even with memories of whip cream lodged in his ears, Dennis Barger exclaimed, “This was a great effort between our PTSO and staff to build a community, better than any we’ve had in the past.”
Mark your calendars for next year’s event, the 10th Annual Boxer Expo, set to take place on April 3rd, 2020 at Vail Academy and High School.
