BY BLAIRE REKLAITIS
The French Honors Society held a celebration for Mardi Gras in the school cafeteria on March 1. Tickets sold for the event also raised funds toward senior scholarships.
The FHS’s celebration of Mardi Gras saw students partaking in traditional activities such as the King contest, where one lucky student would be crowned king of Mardi Gras if the cupcake they bit into had sprinkles in it. “Tradition usually entails putting a baby figure in a cake to symbolize rebirth, but we put sprinkles in one of the cupcakes to mimic this custom,” senior and FHS president Tej Mistry explained.
“The person that gets the special cupcake is blessed with good luck for the year and wins a prize,” added Mistry. Winning the event afforded Khushi Parekh and Khadeeja Khan, crowned as queen and king, the first swings at the piñata.
In addition, students participated in a scavenger hunt around the school and had their pictures taken at a photo booth. “My favorite aspect of Mardi Gras is the festivities. I love the idea of wearing masks and bead necklaces,” said senior Alisha Wasim. “It’s fun to pose with friends for pictures.”
The celebration also included traditional Mardi Gras foods such as quiches and crepes. “In France [Mardi Gras] is the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season,” said senior Samar Raju.
Mardi Gras originated as a pagan Roman festival celebrating the end of winter. It later became a celebration preceding the beginning of Lent. “Mardi Gras is a day of celebration for not only Christians, but for all French people as a day of national pride,” Mistry explained. “This French-born holiday represents French unity and the ability for people to indulge before restriction during Lent.”
Mardi Gras also represents a celebration of freedom and liberation. According to Wasim, “After the Civil War, Mardi Gras was reinvented into becoming a public forum for challenging Reconstruction efforts. The purpose was reinvented again so that marginalized people can reclaim their control over their treatment and existence.”
Senior Jessie Kim expressed excitement regarding the success of the event, “I just want to thank everyone who participated in the preparation or attendance of the event!”
Posted on 3/15/22
Photos by Blaire Reklaitis
Knight Life 