Watch highlights of the John Hersey Fall Fest 2025.
John Hersey High School’s Service Over Self (SOS) club hosted its first-ever Fall Fest, an inclusive, adapted indoor festival celebrating connection, joy, and community.
The event welcomed 75 children with disabilities from local elementary and junior high schools for a morning filled with games and activities. Each visiting student was paired with a Hersey SOS member who served as their buddy for the day, guiding them through a variety of activity booths.
From face painting and craft stations to dance parties and sensory-friendly games, Fall Fest was designed to create moments of joy for every participant.
“I think it’s great for the kids,” said Hersey High School senior and SOS member Ethan Greis. “They have a great time, and it’s so great having them here.”
The event was organized by the Hersey SOS Leadership Class, a dedicated group of students who plan, recruit, and problem-solve for all of the club’s service projects throughout the year. Their leadership and teamwork helped make the first Fall Fest a success.
“What I’m most excited about today is definitely just standing back and watching everybody have so much fun and all the memories being made, and just seeing my peers connect with the children,” said Hersey High School senior and SOS group host Emily Wasilewski. “It’s just very special seeing everybody come together today.”
Fall Fest also serves as a preview of SOS’s signature spring event, the Funner Olympics, a large-scale day of adapted games and activities that has become a favorite for students across the area.
As the first of its kind, Fall Fest set the stage for what promises to become a meaningful annual tradition at John Hersey High School, one that continues to build community, celebrate inclusion, and embody the spirit of service.