What happens when an entire school comes together to celebrate unity, creativity, and giving back? You get the Minarets Mustangs’ School-Wide Community Day, an unforgettable experience that showed the power of community spirit in action. Held on December 20th, this year’s Community Day was packed with activities that highlighted not only the holiday season but also the Mustangs’ commitment to making a positive difference. From flipping pancakes at sunrise to building bike trails and everything in between, Community Day was a true celebration of what it means to be a Mustang.

A Kickoff to Connection
We started our morning bright and early, greeted by a mouthwatering pancake breakfast courtesy of our awesome staff. Fueled by syrup and smiles, we headed to a mini-rally in the gym. Principal Mrs. Corippo’s inspiring words set the tone:“Today is about showing what it means to be a proud Mustang. Let’s work together, have fun, and make a difference in our community!”
With that, we were off, splitting into groups and fanning out across campus (and beyond) to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed.
Giving Back: Adopt a Family
One of the day’s most heartfelt moments took place in the gym, where students participated in the Adopt a Family project. Under the guidance of Mrs. Darrah and the Ag teachers, the gym was transformed into a present-wrapping hub overflowing with holiday cheer. Christmas tunes played in the background as we carefully wrapped gifts, wrote personal notes, and felt that special joy of giving.
“Every kid deserves a good Christmas,” one student said, summing up the spirit of why we were there. It felt amazing to know that the gifts we wrapped would brighten the holidays for families in need.
Curwick and the Bike Trails
Outside, you couldn’t miss the sound of shovels and the steady hum of teamwork. Mr. Curwick and a group of students were busy developing new bike trails behind the football field. They trimmed branches, leveled dirt, and carved out paths that will soon be open for bikers, runners, and hikers.
“This is part of an SLE project,” Mr. Curwick told us. “We’re hoping this can become a cross-country course so we can host our own events in the future.”
You could feel the camaraderie as students sweated and laughed, imagining how cool it will be to race on trails they built themselves.
Art, Music, and More
Meanwhile, music filled the air as our Rock and Show Band, led by Mr. Rocky Von Wagner, put on an outdoor performance that had everyone tapping their feet. The arts didn’t stop there: over in the art room, students crafted toys for dogs, ensuring that even our four-legged pals felt the love of Community Day.
Our Drama Department also got in on the action, dedicating the day to cleaning and reorganizing their famous C-Train. It’s all in preparation for their next big production, and the level of enthusiasm was off the charts. Whether painting, playing music, or making dog toys, Mustangs showcased how creativity can make a meaningful impact.
Helping Hands Across the Area
Community Day didn’t stop at the campus gates. Off-site, groups of students tackled various projects to help our wider community. Some headed to the Fresno Rescue Mission, cleaning and sorting donations. Others made their way to the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds, where they took down Christmas decorations, cleaned up trash, and even scored job offers from the impressed organizers.
In North Fork, Mr. Kelly’s class hustled to shovel rocks, rake leaves, and fix fences, setting an incredible example of teamwork and dedication. It was the perfect reminder that Mustangs go above and beyond, no matter where they are.
Why It Matters
Sure, Community Day took us out of our usual class routine, but it offered so much more: the chance to live out the values that make Minarets High School special. From wrapping gifts for local families to constructing lasting bike trails, each activity was a reminder of our Mustang spirit, compassionate, driven, and united.
As the day wrapped up, Principal Corippo’s closing words echoed through the crowd:“Today, we showed the world what it means to be a community. Let’s keep this spirit alive all year long.”
Looking Ahead
By the end of the day, students and staff walked away with hearts full of gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. If you missed this year’s Community Day, don’t worry, there’s always next year. In fact, the planning committee is already brainstorming fresh ideas, so start thinking of ways you’d like to help out and make them happen.
From all of us in the Minarets Press Staff, we say thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to make this event a success. We can’t wait to see how much more good we can do together. Until then, go big, go pro, go now and go Mustangs!
Written by: The Minarets Press Team
Video by: Jordan Sands
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