The fourth annual Princess & Superhero Party, conducted by Women for Harding, will take place in the Heritage Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Students will dress up as superheroes and princesses and invite White County families to spend the morning playing games, eating snacks and making crafts. According to Liz Howell, vice president for alumni and parent relations, Olaf the snowman, a crowd favorite, will be present this year.
“We do this to raise money for scholarships, but also as a way to give back to the community,” Howell said. “Many children won’t have the opportunity to travel to California or Florida to have an experience like this. It’s so rewarding to see that much joy on campus.”
Junior Alexis Jewell said she played the role of Sleeping Beauty last year and enjoyed her time with the children.
“I think the Princess & Superhero Party is my favorite part of the Women for Harding scholarship,” Jewell said. “Just like the scholarship helps us students who can’t pay for college, we get to help kids who might not have the money to go experience something magical.”
According to Jewell, the day begins with all of the families meeting in the Heritage Auditorium. There, all of the superheroes and princesses are announced and brought to the stage. Jewell said that the children get excited to see their favorite characters. Following the entrance of the characters, children have the opportunity to eat snacks, make crafts and have other fun activities with their favorite heroes and princesses.
Sophomore Madison Haskins said she played Elsa from “Frozen” last year and loved the magic that came with the role.
“(Anna and Elsa) were the new princesses on the scene, so they were very popular,” Haskins said. “It seemed really magical to (the kids), like we were actually princesses, which made me feel like actual royalty.”
Senior Emily Bonzagni said she will be helping out for the first time this year and is excited to help make memories.
“I’m most looking forward to being able to interact with the sweet little kids that come to see us,” Bonzagni said. “It’ll be so cool to be able to act like what they’re used to seeing on TV and being able to bring that to life.”
Tickets for the party are $10 for children and $5 for adults. They can be purchased at Harding Academy, the Harding Alumni Office, RadioShack, Sassy Stitch, The Tangerine Turtle and at the door on the day of the event.
