Preparations for the Thunder Pageant, one of Summit’s most valuable traditions, are officially underway. The annual pageant launched in January, with nearly 40 seniors uniting to raise money for a local child’s medical care.
By partnering with the nonprofit organization Sparrow Clubs, Summit is matched with a child facing a serious illness, known as a Sparrow. This year, Summit is supporting Benjamin, who is battling cancer and Hepatitis B. Summit students will work together to raise money to support the family through challenging times.
Participating seniors compete in pairs, partnering with local businesses and receiving a percentage of the profits for the day or by collecting individual donations. While only seniors can participate in the Thunder Pageant, younger students can contribute by completing community service. Local businesses will donate a certain amount of money for each hour accomplished by a student, allowing all of Summit to partake in the fundraiser.
Each couple competes to raise the largest amount of money, and at the end of the fundraising process, the Thunder Pageant itself is held. While the couples are actively fundraising, they simultaneously attend dance rehearsals in order to prepare for the final event. The pageant includes large group dances and individual acts, where couples showcase a certain talent like singing, dancing or playing an instrument. At the end of the pageant, one couple is crowned for best act, while another is recognized for raising the most money.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity for our school to get to come together and fundraise for our Sparrow every single year,” said Emme Pofahl, a Summit junior and this year’s Thunder Pageant organizer. “It’s one of our biggest Summit traditions.”
Although the Thunder Pageant is still early in the planning process, one logistical question remains: How many couples are going to be able to participate? In past years, Summit’s Student Council (STUCO) didn’t have an overflow of applicants and thus didn’t need to dismiss anyone, but now, with a larger pool of couples, the selection process must be updated.
“We have 19 couples, but we can’t have 40 people in our pageant, so it’s been kind of hard, but we’re gonna figure it out,” said Pofahl.
At the same time, some seniors feel that the communication could be improved. STUCO only shared information on the designated Thunder Pageant Instagram account and on advisory slideshows, which some teachers skip through, and some seniors missed the deadline to sign up.
“I still think it’s a super great opportunity to give back to our community. I just wish there had been clear communication when it opened because I know I’m not the only student that missed it,” said Summit senior Esi Voelz. “I wanted to do the Thunder Pageant since I was a freshman, and so it’s really sad for me not to do it this year because I missed the sign-ups.”
Voelz noted that she “think[s] it’s weird that there wasn’t a more clear [form of] communication.” Even just the addition of QR codes around the school could inform the whole senior class, she said, allowing a greater number of individuals to apply and support Benjamin’s family.
The Thunder Pageant remains one of the Summit community’s most meaningful traditions, bringing students together in order to support the community through fundraising, performances and schoolwide connection.
