Video: Student-led Spring Tea at Crestwood STEM School brings community together in Medicine Hat

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Student leader, Kapri Wirth, who helped emcee the event, said it’s a chance to showcase what the school is all about.

“We kind of just show people what we do as a Crestwood school, and we welcome them and tell them what’s going on, like the performances and what we offer here,” Wirth said.

“It’s a way for families to come and visit, especially if their kids are here, so they can watch them perform. We have choirs and classes doing music and arts, and it just helps the school.”

Behind the scenes, months of preparation went into making the day happen.

Amy Leprieur, chair of the school’s parent council, said planning begins early in the year, with volunteers organizing every detail.

“We actually start preparing in January, and that’s when we start reaching out to donors to donate all kinds of items because there’s a lot of different needs,” Leprieur said.

“As the months go on, we gather volunteers and figure out who’s going to perform and what the program will look like. And then as it gets closer, it’s a lot of arranging who’s going to iron tablecloths, who’s picking up donations, [and how] we’re getting supplies,” she added.

“There are so many little things that go into it.”

Leprieur said the scale of the event can be surprising.

“It’s like planning a big birthday party, but times 10 all together in one, there’s just so many people and so many moving parts, but it all comes together in the end,” Leprieur said.

Community engagement is reflected in every aspect of the event, from handmade crafts to donated items and local business support.

Sharah Kershaw, parent council treasurer and Spring Tea coordinator, said the impact of the fundraiser reaches far beyond the event itself.

“Every penny that we raise here helps our kiddos be able to go on field trips, and it helps pay for supplies for teachers so that it’s not coming out of pocket from them,” Kershaw said.

“Our money also goes towards sports equipment for the school and other things like providing food for events. It gives us a whole range of things we can support.”

Kershaw said the event wouldn’t be possible without contributions from families and the wider community.

“All of the crafts and donations are from family members of our students, which is huge because we couldn’t do it without that,” Kershaw said.

“We also reach out to local businesses, and their support helps us provide so many different options for families to participate in.”

The event is seen as a milestone for students, as grade 6s take on leadership roles as servers, hosts and organizers.

“This is an entirely student-run event, where all the servers, the hosts, the MCs, they’re all Grade 6 students, and it’s their biggest event of the year,” Kershaw said.

“It’s something they look forward to for their whole time at Crestwood. It’s a really exciting leadership opportunity for them.”

The Spring Tea stretches back decades, as Kershaw said the annual event has been running since the 1970s.

“It’s been around for more than 50 years, and it’s something we’re really trying to uphold as a tradition,” Kershaw said.

For those involved, the success of the event isn’t measured only in dollars raised, but in the sense of belonging it creates.

“It doesn’t matter what your background is or your situation, when you come to Spring Tea, you’re just part of the community,” Kershaw said.

“It’s a safe place where families and friends can come together and just enjoy being part of the school.”

by Jett Schwaier

Video: Student-led Spring Tea at Crestwood STEM School brings community together in Medicine Hat

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