According to one of the carnival’s faculty organizers, Ryan Burd, who teaches language arts, his fellow teachers put on an event in fall that will allow the students to demo possible games to inspire ideas for their own spring carnival, which was recently attended by elementary students in United’s K-8 gymnasium.

In small groups, eighth-grade students developed their own games, testing and editing them along the way based on a winnability and cost.

Letters seeking sponsorship from local businesses also had been sent out in the initial stages to cover the potential cost of creating the games and raising $4,000.

“A lot of work does go into this event,” Burd added.

United Elementary School third grader Brycen Helms (standing) takes a turn at Eagle’s Pass as eighth-grade students and game creators Ethan Newburn, Cole Rininger and Ayden Poling look on during the recent annual carnival to benefit the eight grade’s trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg in the United Local K-8 gymnasium. Each elementary student was able to participate in up to 24 student-created games if they redeemed tickets, which cost 25 cents each. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

K-7 students stopped by the gymnasium during their special period and purchased game tickets for a quarter each, which then were redeemed to play games, such as ring toss or knock down the alien.

Games varied in cost between one to four game tickets.

In the carnival’s inaugural games, the eighth-grade students made an average of $200 per game toward their trip, after any money fronted to create the game was repaid.

This year, the eighth grade not only had bested their inaugural year in regards to ticket sales, they still had four more elementary school classes to proceed through the carnival when reaching that benchmark.

At the conclusion of the event, Burd said eighth graders had sold 11,000 tickets total for $4,871, netting a total of $8,871 once the sponsorships were added in.

From left, United Local eighth-grade students Dylan Williams, Jason Smith and Conner Cole pose in front of their game, Pirate Roll, recently in between players during their grade’s carnival to benefit its trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. As a result of game ticket sales, the students raised $4,871 and already had raised $4000 just from sponsorships for a total of $8,871 for the trip, according to one of the faculty organizers, Ryan Burd. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Game-winners earned prizes, which varied in value between candy and small toys to gift cards.

Connor Kelly sits next to his group’s Skibidi Toilet Throw game recently in the United K-8 gymnasium. To play the game created by Kelly and his fellow eighth-grade teammates, the player had to toss a bean bag and mark the bowl. The game was one of 24 created by eighth-grade students for the carnival, which raises money for its upcoming grade trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. In the fundraiser’s sophomore year, it easily dwarfed last year’s numbers, raising $4,871 in ticket sales from elementary school players. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

From left (seated), United Local Junior High students Patience Gilmore, Ava Ashburn and Karrin Diegido look on as third-grade student Dominic Diego (standing, center) plays their game, Sonic Ring Toss, recently during his grade’s special visit to the eighth-grade carnival benefiting their class trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. The event, which included 24 student-created games, was able to raise $4,871 plus another $4,000 in sponsorships toward the trip. This was the event’s second year. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

United Local eighth-grade math teacher Kristin Hepner tears off ticket stubs in preparation for packaging more envelopes for elementary school students who were coming to the carnival being held to benefit the eighth-grade’s annual class trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. Guest students came down their special class period and purchased the tickets at a quarter each, redeeming them at 24 games to win possible prizes. She and her fellow eighth-grade team members had prepared 8,000 tickets; however, they ended up selling 11,000. Eighth-graders raised $8,871 between ticket sales and another $4,000 in sponsorships. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)