Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 15, 2023 WELCOME | FROM PAGE 1 idea. They hash it out, present it to city leaders for approval and go on to help create a bunch of lasting memories for lots of others around our community. Well, that did it again on Wednesday, September 6, with a first-ever Malden Public Schools districtwide “Back to School Fest.” Held on the Malden High School campus, the event was a huge success, drawing students of all ages. Close to 1,000 attendees, including parents, caregivers, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends, took part. They were able to enjoy interactive games, the popular bouncy house, the giant YUP! HE DID IT! On just his second throw, Mayor Gary Christenson got the job done! SLUSH-EES: Members and class officers of the Malden High Classes of 2024 and 2025 (seniors and juniors) manned the food and games stations, including Tori at the slush and fried dough stop. (Advocate Photos) BOUNCY HOUSE BONUS: a look from the outside into the bouncy house. ‘DUNK’-A-ROO: Malden High Principal Chris Mastrangelo is in the water after getting “dunked” by a throw from “eagle eye” Mayor Gary Christenson. LITTLE ONE: Dad helps this preschooler guy play one of the games at the Back to School Fest. SCHOOL RESOUR CE OFFICERS: Two of Malden’s school resource officers, Sgt. Rob O’Brien (left) and Ptl. Connor Cloherty (right), were on hand for the big event. slide, a dunk tank and plenty of snacks and slush. Malden Mayor Gary ChrisSIZING UP: Mayor Gary Christenson gets ready for his Dunk Tank toss at MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo, tenson, whose office was one of the official sponsors of the event, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ligia Noriega-Murphy were on hand to greet all in attendance. The chief sponsors and hosts of the event were the MHS Classes of 2024 and 2025, who first brought the idea to MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo. Mastrangelo got the approval the students in the senior and junior classes were looking for from city and school higher ups, and it was a “GO.” The students, class officers and advisors combined to put on a show to remember, with plenty of interactive games for all ages, QB OF THE FUTURE: Kevin winds up and is ready to fire a “touchdown” strike at one of the many popular games at the Back to School Fest. carnival-style refreshments like popcorn, slush and fried dough and one of the most popular games on the Malden High “boardwalk,” in the Courtyard. Several Malden teachers and administrators took part in the Dunk Tank, including MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo – the main attraction – and in so doing, helped the Malden High classes make some money to fund future events, such as Senior Prom. Mastrangelo ended up getting “dunked” more than a few times, most notably when Malden Mayor Gary Christenson put up his $5 for six throws, but only needed two, and he hit the target and knocked the MHS principal into the tank on his second one. The Mayor credited the many season-openLike us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/ Advocate.news.ma Free Smoke Detector Inspections & Installations for Seniors ing “first pitch” events he attends for the Malden High, Babe Ruth and Little League teams each year for his “eagle eye” accuracy. “It was a great day for everyone, our Malden High students who planned and ran the event and all of the many people who attended,” Mastrangelo said. “There were a lot of smiles on a lot of faces.” Malden Fire Dept. offers free smoke detector inspections & installations for seniors I n conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week – October 8-14 – the Malden Fire Department will implement a program to assist senior citizens with protecting their personal FIRE | SEE PAGE 14
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