On April 4th, Darien High School’s Student Government hosted its annual spring bonfire, where people came together in the courtyard for various activities like karaoke, the colony pizza truck, and, of course, the fire itself.
To start, the bonfire was originally scheduled for Friday, March 21st, but was postponed due to strong winds.
This event was promoted through many different means and platforms, ranging from announcements and plasma screens to Instagram posts and flyers around the school. The announcements and the posters were most effective in spreading the word to the student body.
The centerpiece of the night was the bonfire itself. The fire, located in the middle of the DHS courtyard, was maintained throughout the event by the surrounding faculty. This structure provided an impressive visual spectacle and welcomed the spring, as the temperature leading up to the event was quite frigid.
This year’s event featured a number of activities to entertain attendees throughout the night. Mini ping-pong brackets, intense rounds of pop-a-shot, and 1:1 cornhole were popular activities. Perhaps the most unexpected event of the night was the karaoke, as people came together to sing their favorite pop songs with an audience.
In addition to the top-notch entertainment, the culinary options elevated this year’s event far past a pizza delivery. The fresh pizza served by the minute from the Colony Pizza truck maintained a steady line throughout the night. On top of this tasty main course, the dessert spread deserves a special mention, as the delicious cookies and brownies were quickly eaten.
There are a few things that the student body has suggested for next year’s event. Soon after the bonfire took place, a Google form was sent out to get the student body’s thoughts on the bonfire, and people had a lot to say. Let’s get into it, shall we?
To begin, the activities. Although it was clear that the games offered were thoroughly enjoyed by many, there are some more activities that the people would like to see next year; the most notable being a scavenger hunt and mini golf.
Next, the food. Overall, the student body was extremely content with both Colony Pizza truck and the sweet treat arrangement. However, there was one suggestion that stuck out the most: an ice cream truck to offer a cold treat to complement the warmth of the fire.
Now, to address the main issue: timing. Due to the wind, which was mentioned earlier, the bonfire was pushed back a week, which ultimately caused some issues. The seven day delay made a difference, as that was the beginning of the spring sport season and created a conflict. Since the majority of the student body play after-school sports in the spring that don’t end until much later in the afternoon – that decreased bonfire attendance.
Lastly, and most importantly – the main affair of the event – the fire. Overall, the student body gave this fire a high rating of 3.97 out of 5 stars, but when asked how it compared to the fire last year, opinions were strong. To refresh your memory (or inform if you did not attend): last year the fire was colored blue, which added extra flare and showed school spirit. This spring, this concept was eliminated. According to the student body, this wasn’t the move, as nearly 90% of Google form participants stated that the blue coloring is something they would like to see brought back.
Despite these minor suggestions, this year’s 2025 Spring Bonfire was a smashing success as students gave it an overall rating of 8.28 out of 10. It was a night where all grades came together, strengthening our school community and enjoying a fun event with their peers.
