Varnett out of character on Character Day

Minnie Mouse, the cartoon character created in 1928 by Ub Iwerks and Disney, paid dividends for kindergarten teacher Laquita White.

Ms. White was voted as having the best costume by her peers on a day when staff and students alike dressed uncharacteristically on Character Day.  Administrators, teachers, aides and other staff had an after-school party in the cafeteria Oct. 31 that featured food, dancing and laughter. The event was organized by Dr. M. Annette Cluff, superintendent of The Varnett Public School and Southwest Campus director, as a show of thanks to the staff for the work they’ve done so far.

“I worked really hard on that costume,” Ms. White said Friday. “It took me about two hours to make the skirt and to put that all together.”

Ms. Olivia Espinoza, a PreK teacher who donned a Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat costume, was voted second by the staff and Ms. Patricia Orozco of the janitorial staff was voted third for her pirate outfit. Each was awarded a prize after the show-of-hands vote.

Ms. White couldn’t really explain why she chose Minnie Mouse as her character, except to say it had to be someone the students could recognize. “I just picked somebody,” she said.

Meanwhile, students throughout the Southwest and Southwest PreK campuses showed up in costume for the day that was not intended, as Dr. Cluff explained, to celebrate Halloween. Still, a few people came dressed as witches.

The staff listened to music, danced, ate a good meal and had cake. It was a time for everybody to unwind nearly a week after they spent last Saturday, October 26, participating in Carnival Day, a five-hour festival at all three campuses. 

Thanks to all for joining the fun.

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