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Craft show pulls large turnout to Williamstown High

Amy Stephens, of Williamstown, shows an item to Selena Russell and her daughter Sabannah, 7, also of Williamstown. (Photo by Doug Loyer)

Michael Ferree, of White Valley Kettle Korn, stirs popcorn outside near the entrance. (Photo by Doug Loyer)

WILLIAMSTOWN — There was a large turnout for the 18th annual Williamstown High School Academic Boosters Craft Show on Saturday in the Williamstown High School Gymnasium.

“It’s wonderful to have such a great turnout,” said Raquel Wager, boosters president and coordinator of the craft show. “I’m very excited and looking forward to raising money for the Academic Boosters. The money raised goes towards the benefit of the kids.”

The Williamstown High School Academic Boosters Organization is a parent-led organization that works in conjunction with the school to encourage, promote and recognize the academic growth of the students in seventh through 12th grades. Some things that the group sponsors include a teacher appreciation luncheon, a senior honor reception, academic field trips and cash drawings for students that perform well academically.

The craft show is the primary fundraiser of the Academic Boosters. The Williamstown High School Band ran the concession area as a fundraiser during Saturday’s event. The craft show is always held the fourth Saturday in October and this year’s show included 74 crafters of all sorts, along with vendors with handmade items including beading, jewelry, sewing, and woodworking among others.

“I really think this craft show is a great thing. A lot of people can come out and sell what they make,” said Williamstown National Honor Society student Jensen Newton, 17, who was once a lucky recipient of one of the Academic Boosters random drawings.

“I did win $50 once in the academic drawing,” Newton said. “I think the random drawing idea is a definite incentive for students to do their best.”

To be eligible for the drawing held each nine weeks, the students need to have a GPA of 3.6 or higher or have made an improvement in their GPA by at least 0.5.

There were several student helpers during the event including seniors Dylan Stockner, 17, Cody Newbanks, 18, and Kaleigh Bush, 17. They volunteered during the craft show to get community service hours that are required for graduation. They helped by cleaning tape off the show floor and tearing down the hospitality area where free drinks and muffins are provided for the vendors.

Williamstown High School Junior Susan Fauber, 16, volunteered twice Saturday. Once was in the morning for the National Honor Society and then later for the band. Fauber, the WHS Band drum major said, “I love the craft show. Everyone seems friendly and nice.

“I’m taking order forms to the concession stand and bringing back food and drinks for the vendors,” she said. “I think this is a great turnout and I’m enjoying helping out.”

“It’s been a lot of fun. This my first craft show,” said vendor Amy Stephens of Williamstown, who was selling cell phone purses, ID wallets, hats, and ruffled scarves.

Selena Russell and her daughter, Sabannah, 7, both of Williamstown, were checking out the vendors’ wares.

“This is our first time at the craft show. We’ve been wanting to come. We’ve already made a couple of purchases,” Russell said.

Second-year vendor, Jacklyn Clark, of Waverly, owns Itty Bitty Treasures and had a table selling fabric items including medical seat belt IDs, embroidered and sewn items, headbands, key fobs, lanyards and personalized items.

Michael Ferree and his wife Terrie, of Parkersburg, of White Valley Kettle Korn were set up outside near the entrance of the craft show. They were staying busy selling their old fashioned sweet and salty popcorn.

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