Stadium Drive students treated to ice cream social


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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Stadium Drive student John Cagnina (left) enjoyed his delicious ice cream, thanks to the Stadium Drive PTA, with his mom, Cheryl.

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During a game at the Stadium Drive Ice Cream Social, Abby Rizzo was a natural at the hula hoop.

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Paula Morales(back) helped her son, Robbie (right), with toppings in the ice cream line.

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BHS Key Club member Tiffany Pavelko (left) painted some Steelers-themed war paint on Jimmy Goske on April 8.

By SARAH FOOR

sfoor@vindy.com

Stadium Drive students were treated to a sweet spring treat as they celebrated their annual Ice Cream Social on April 8.

The carnival-like event, which has been organized by the PTA for more than 20 years, is such a blowout the space in Stadium Drive doesn’t quite cut it.

“This year, we’ve welcomed at least 550 students and their families to our Ice Cream Social. We definitely needed to expand to the Boardman High School cafeteria, and we’re always so happy they welcome us,” explained PTA co-chair Melanie Perham.

The space allowed the celebration’s many guests to move smoothly between a dance floor, games, face painting, prizes and the ice cream line. A cup of soft serve was provided, and then guests were free to cover their sundaes with fudge, caramel, candy, cookies and sprinkles.

The ice cream wasn’t the only thing the PTA planners found sweet.

“For prizes, this is the first time we opened up donations to parents,” explained PTA president and co-chair of the event, Amy Dietz. “We’re absolutely thrilled with the parent involvement and the help with donations. It really makes the event sing for the kids.”

Beyond PTA planners and volunteers, the party was run by DJ Dean Congemi, who kept the music entertaining, and students from the high school Key Club, who oversaw games and did face painting.

“The kids get really excited about the ice cream social every year,” said Perham. “It’s really the last big event the PTA plans, and appropriately, it’s like a cherry on top of our year of hard work.”

Although there was much to offer at the event, the ice cream was the star of the show.

“This is actually our first time here,” explained Cheryl Cagnina, who attended with her Stadium Drive student, John.

“The ice cream is amazing though,” she shared.