The National Art Honor Society held a festive Mardi Gras bake sale on Tuesday, February 17, raising money for an upcoming art field trip. The event took place during all lunch periods in the SLC, where students could purchase a variety of homemade desserts while supporting the school’s art community. 

The event was also a way for the school community at large to celebrate Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras, the French phrase that means “Fat Tuesday” celebrates the last day of Ordinary Time in the Catholic calendar before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Though it originated in France, Mardi Gras is most closely associated with the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Once a French colony, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations now include masks, colorful floats, parties, and food.  

Eighteen members of the National Art Honor Society contributed homemade baked goods for the sale. Tables were filled with colorful treats that matched the Mardi Gras theme, including cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and other desserts. Prices ranged from just $0.50 to $3. The bake sale attracted many students during lunch periods who got to purchase and enjoy the wide selection of desserts. By the end of the day, the club had raised hundreds of dollars. 

Senior Sofia Giacomelli, one of the students who helped organize the sale, explained the purpose of the fundraiser.

“It benefited the National Art Honor Society,” Sofia said. “We had 18 kids that all brought in homemade baked goods and we made $450, and we’re going to use it for the end of the year trip to the Pittsburgh Art Museum in May.”.

All proceeds from the sale will directly benefit the National Art Honor Society and help support its activities, in particular the club’s end-of-year trip to the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.