Blue Mountain, Furnace Woods Students Unite for Carnival
The students in Mrs. Krause’s and Mr. Gioacchini’s eighth-grade Art and Design classes at Blue Mountain Middle School recently took on a creative and meaningful challenge: design a carnival or arcade game adapted so that all children can play. As part of the process, students explored different types of adaptations, developed game pitches, and brought their ideas to life through building and testing.
The project culminated in a lively, student-run carnival, where eighth graders partnered with students from Ms. Orefice’s class to host visiting students from Furnace Woods Elementary School. Students from Ms. Cole, Ms. Giacomantonio, and Mrs. Trezza eagerly participated, rotating through the games, earning tickets, and selecting prizes.
The event highlighted not only creativity and problem-solving, but also empathy and collaboration.
“It was really great seeing how excited all of the eighth graders were to share their creations with the younger kids,” said Mrs. Burstein, a speech and language teacher at Blue Mountain. “They were so friendly, cheering on each child.”
Eighth-grade designers Bryden Ordonez and Ryan Veloz reflected on the experience, noting how rewarding it was to see their work in action. They shared that they “really enjoyed giving the students a fun experience playing arcade games,” emphasizing the joy of creating something inclusive and engaging for others.
Students working behind the scenes at the prize booth also played an important role in the day’s success. Jackson, a student in Ms. Orefice’s class, described how meaningful the experience was.
“My favorite part was the ticket booth and giving toys to little kids—that made me happy,” he said. Jackson added that he enjoyed helping the steady stream of visitors and choosing prizes alongside his peers.
Romel and Aiden worked at the booth with Jackson, and Romel echoed that same enthusiasm. He shared that he “loved seeing the kids playing the games” and enjoyed interacting with them, greeting participants and helping them select prizes.
“Talking to the kids was nice,” Romel said, highlighting the positive connections formed throughout the event.
From designing accessible games to celebrating each player’s success, the carnival showcased the power of student creativity, teamwork, and inclusion—leaving both participants and organizers with lasting memories.